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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois had its best offensive output of the season but the Panthers fell short on Thursday against Tennessee Tech as Jud Dillard hit a shot with two seconds remaining.  The Golden Eagles added two free throws following an EIU turnover to win 77-73.

TTU improved to 7-9, 1-3 in the OVC.  EIU fell to 3-14, 0-4 in the OVC.  The Panthers host Jacksonville State on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Lantz Arena.

EIU opened the game with an 18-6 run as Morris Woods had four early points during his career high 25 point night.  The Panthers extended the lead to fifteen points with 7:01 left as Woods bucket gave EIU a 35-20 lead. 

TTU closed the halftime margin to four points as they trailed 44-40 at the break with Dillard scoring 12 first half points.  Dillard would lead all scorers with 34 points.  EIU shot 65 percent in the opening half while TTU shot 56 percent from the floor and was able to climb back in the game behind 7-of-12 shooting from 3-point range in the opening twenty minutes.

Sherman Blanford's tip-in pushed EIU's lead to seven points early in the second half and a Blanford lay-up increased EIU's lead to 58-49 with 14:25 remaining.  Blanford added 16 points coming off the bench for the Panthers hitting 6-of-8 from the floor.  Blanford had six assists.

TTU closed to within three points with 9:40 left on a 3-pointer by Jeremiah Samarrippas.  A free throw and jumper by Woods on the next two EIU possessions pushed the lead back to six points with 7:52 to play at 67-61.

Dillard tied the game at 70-70 with 1:26 left to play as Dillard scored 13 of the Golden Eagles final 15 points going 5-of-5 from the floor.  Following a free throw by Blanford, Dillard sank a 3-pointer with 53 seconds left to give TTU its first lead of the game at 73-71.

Blanford found Josh Piper cutting down the lane for a lay-up to tie the game at 73-73 with 35 seconds left.  Dillard then hit what proved to be the game winner with two seconds left.  EIU turned the ball over on the inbound pass and fouled as Matt Marseille sank a pair of free throws to finish the game.

TTU finished the game shooting 52 percent from the floor and 54 percent from 3-point range (12-of-22).  Dennis Ogbe added 11 points while Samarrippas had eight assists.

EIU shot 55 percent from the floor.  Austin Akers had six assists.