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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois shot only 64 percent from the free throw line on the night but made the ones that counted in overtime as the Panthers (9-5, 3-1 OVC) held on for a 97-93 win over Tennessee Tech (7-7, 1-2, OVC) on Monday night in Lantz Arena.
EIU made only two of four shots from the field in the extra period but was able to knock down 9-of-12 free throws in the extra session including two by Tyler Laser with 11 seconds left that iced the game. Tennessee Tech which shot 52 percent for the game was held to only 30 percent shooting in the extra period.
The Panthers built a 44-41 lead in the first half as James Hollowell scored ten of his 19 points in the first half. Hollowell would end the game with his first career double-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots. Elijah Muhammad was 3-of-3 from 3-point range in the first half as TTU shot 57 percent from the field and 5-of-7 from 3-point range.
EIU built its lead to nine points at the 17 minute mark as Shaun Pratl sank a pair of free throws. Frank Davis answered with a 3-pointer for the Golden Eagles as they would tied the game at 60-60 with 10:43 remaining in regulation on a three point play by Alfred Jones.
The two teams would trade the lead nine times over the final ten minutes of regulation with EIU taking a two point lead with 27 seconds left on a T.J. Marion free throw. Bassey Inameti tied the game on a jumper with ten seconds left before EIU had two shots fall off the rim in the final seconds.
Hollowell would score three points in the extra session to lead EIU as they outscored TTU 13-9. TTU never led in the extra period.
Jeremy Granger led the Panthers with 21 points hitting 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Curry McKinney added 12 off the bench.
Davis led all players with 27 points hitting 6-of-9 from 3-point range. Jones would add 19 and Kevin Murphy 17.
EIU returns to action on Saturday morning when they host Southeast Missouri at 11 a.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
