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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois is headed to Nashville for the Ohio Valley Conference semifinals for the first time since the 2001 season following a 68-61 win over Eastern Kentucky in the opening round of the OVC Tournament played Tuesday night at Lantz Arena.

The Panthers improved to 19-11 overall while the Colonels dropped to 20-12. The last time EIU advanced to Nashville the Panthers won the OVC Tournament in 2001 defeating Austin Peay in one of the classic games of the OVC Tournament.

EKU built a 35-31 halftime lead as they took advantage of seven EIU first half turnovers converting those into 12 points. EKU would finish the game with a 21-3 advantage in points off turnovers. However EIU was able to limit EKU to just 41 percent shooting including a 32 percent from 3-point range.

The Panthers limited second chance points for the Colonels by dominating play on the glass. EIU finished with a 34-18 rebound margin with James Hollowell leading the way with eight.

EIU shot a season best 62 percent for the game hitting better than 60 percent in each half. EIU opened the second half with a 10-5 run as the Panthers gained the lead on a jumper by Jeremy Granger with 15:03 left. Granger was one of four Panthers to finish in double figures with 14. Tyler Laser also added 14 for EIU.

Josh Daniel would tie the game for EKU with a 3-pointer at 12:43 and Spencer Perrin gave the Colonels a lead at 47-45 with 11:54 left.

EIU would answer with a 5-0 spurt as Shaun Pratl capped the short run. EIU would withstand several EKU runs in the final four minutes after extending the lead to nine points on free throws by #T.J. Marion# as he led EIU with 15 points. Hollowell added 10.

Justin Stommes had 14 to lead EKU with Perrin and Papa Oppong adding 13.

EIU will face No. 1 seed Murray State at 6 p.m. on Friday evening at the Bridgestone Arena (formerly Sommet Center) in Nashville.