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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Jacksonville State converted sixteen Eastern Illinois turnovers into sixteen points as the Gamecocks (4-18, 2-9 OVC) picked up a 56-46 win over Eastern Illinois (8-13, 4-7 OVC) on Saturday night at Lantz Arena.

Both teams struggled on offense in the first half as JSU shot 30 percent and EIU 29 percent as the Gamecocks took a 21-19 lead into the locker room. Jeremy Bynum hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to put JSU ahead. Bynum would finish the game leading all scorers with 18 points hitting 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.

The Panthers had led by as many as five points in the first half when #L.C. Doss# drained a 3-pointer with 5:58 to play. Alfonzo McKinnie would tie the game at 21-21 to open the second half and Jeremy Granger knotted the contest at 32-32 at the 12:47 mark with a fast break lay-up. Shaun Pratl's free throws with 9:40 remaining would be the final tie of the game for EIU at 34-34. Pratl led the Panthers with 14 points hitting 6-of-9 from the field.

Bynum sank a 3-pointer on the next possession and JSU rattled off a 13-2 run capped by Nick Murphy's jumper with 3:12 remaining. Murphy finished with 17 points including hitting 7-of-10 from the free throw line. JSU hit 17-of-22 free throws in the second half to help seal the win.

Granger and Curry McKinney sank 3-pointers for EIU in the final minute and a half of the game but it was not enough to spark a come back. Granger finished with 14 points.

EIU returns to action next Saturday hosting Southeast Missouri. EIU currently stands in seventh place in the OVC standings a half-game ahead of SEMO. The top eight teams advance to the OVC Tournament in Nashville on March 2.