Final Box ScoreCHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Illinois University men's basketball team led for a majority of the first 30 minutes in their game against Green Bay on Saturday night (Nov. 28), but a late surge from the Phoenix in the final 10 minutes of the contest saw the Panthers fall short 72-81 and drop to 0-4 on the season.
The Panthers got things started early as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead after a pair of layups from
Demetrius McReynolds. The Phoenix would use a 12-0 run to take an 18-11 lead with 13:06 remaining in the first half. The Panthers battled back as a pair of free-throws from
A.J. Riley knotted the score at 23-23 with 06:46 remaining in the half.
Luke Norman put EIU ahead 37-31 with 01:19 as he scored on a pair of free-throws, as the score would remain that way at halftime.
Just like they did in the first half, the Panthers came out of the gates firing to begin the second half as they would see their lead increase to as many as 10 points at 43-33 after another Riley layup at the 16:21 mark. The Panthers would begin to cool down as Green Bay went on a 17-7 run to take a 50-49 lead with 09:47 left to play. The Panthers quickly took the lead right back following a layup by
Patrick Muldoon. A three-pointer by Green Bay's Tevin Findlay put the Phoenix back ahead 56-55 with just over seven minutes remaining in the second half.
Cornell Johnston pulled EIU within four points late in the half, but clutch free-throw shooting from Green Bay down the stretch sealed the 81-72 victory over the Panthers.
Riley finished the night with 25 points to lead EIU, as
Trae Anderson added 14, and McReynolds with 12.
EIU men's basketball will take the court again Tuesday night (Dec. 1), with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off time, as the Panthers host Indiana State in Lantz Arena.