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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Eastern Illinois closed out a 60-56 win over Indiana State on Saturday afternoon with six points in the final 23 seconds as the Panthers won 60-56 beating the Sycamores for the first time since 2001.

EIU improved to 5-6 on the season and will play at Cleveland State at 1 p.m. on Saturday.  ISU dropped to 4-7.

EIU led 20-17 at the half after building a 18-9 lead with 7:23 to play in the first on a Josh Piper jumper.  A 6-0 run by ISU was capped by Khristian Smith's lay-up with 4:11 to play.  Each team closed the half with a basket.

EIU opened an eight point lead with 10:51 to play in the second half as Piper and Cornell Johnston both connected on 3-pointers lifting the Panthers to a 38-30 lead.

Smith powered the Sycamores to back within one poin with a jumper at 7:13 which made it a 44-43 EIU lead.

Both teams would trade baskets with EIU holding the lead the entire second half.  Johnston knocked down another 3-pointer with 3:44 to play giving EIU a 54-48 lead.  The Panthers would then go scoreless until Johnston's lay-up with 23 seconds to play.  The freshman guard finished with 11 points.

Devonte Brown had two lay-ups for Indiana State as the Panthers went nearly three minutes at the close of the game without a point.  Brown's second free throw made it a 54-53 lead for EIU with 53 seconds to play.

Johnston then scored a lay-up with 23 seconds left and Chris Olivier and Trae Anderson each knocked down two free throws.  Brenton Scott hit a 3-pointer for the Sycamores with three seconds left to play.

Olivier had 15 points while Anderson had 14.