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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Trae Anderson converted a three point play with 26 seconds remaining followed by a defensive stand by Eastern Illinois as the Panthers pulled out a 57-54 win over SIU Edwardsville on Saturday afternoon in Lantz Arena.
 
EIU improved to 13-9 overall, 7-3 in the OVC.  The Panthers host Baker University in a non-conference game on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.  SIUE dropped to 9-12 overall, 5-5 in OVC play.
 
In a back-and-forth game that had nine ties in the second half along with six lead changes, EIU led 50-46 with 3:37 to play on a 3-pointer by Cornell Johnston.  SIUE then went on an 8-2 run with 3-pointers by Donivine Stewart and C.J. Carr.  Carr's 3-pointer with 42 seconds remaining gave the Cougars a two point lead.
 
Anderson then drove the lane in the left block and was fouled while making a lay-up.  His free throw gave the Panthers a 55-54 lead with 26 seconds left.  EIU then forced a double-dribble violation as Reggie Smith helped on the defensive stop giving EIU the basketball with five seconds left.  Johnston then made two free throws to ice the game as a half court heave by SIUE fell short.  Johnston had 12 points to go with four assists.
 
EIU opened the game on an 11-0 run with Anderson scoring six of his game high 20 points in the first 4:30 of the game.  SIUE's first points came at the free throw line with 14:56 to play as Rozell Nunn knocked down a pair.  The first Cougars field goal did not come until 13:25 with EIU leading 13-4. 
 
EIU would lead by as many as 12 points in the first half before SIUE closed to within two points on a Keenan Simmons 3-pointer at 4:02 trimming EIU's lead to 19-17.  The Panthers led 26-19 at the half as Anthony Johnson had a lay-up and Smith knocked down a pair of free throws.
 
The Panthers extended their lead to nine points on a jumper by Anderson to open the half.  Stewart capped a 9-0 run by SIUE with a 3-pointer at 17:44 to tie the game at 28-28.  Stewart led SIUE with 19 points. 
 
Both teams finished shooting below 40 percent as EIU connected for 34 percent and SIUE shot 37 percent.  The Panthers were 14-of-18 at the free throw line with Reggie Smith hitting 6-of-6.