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LAS VEGAS – Omaha used a 14-3 run late in the first half to open up a narrow lead as the Mavericks beat Eastern Illinois, 80-68, at the Global Sports Classic in Las Vegas.
EIU will play at 1 p.m. (Central) on Tuesday against North Carolina Central in the final game of the Global Sports Classic. EIU fell to 2-8 while Omaha improved to 7-6.
EIU had an early lead but Omaha turned up the defensive pressure as they built an eight point lead. Tra-Deon Hollis, the nation's steal leader, had four steals as Omaha had 13 as a team. Omaha converted 13 first half EIU turnovers into 21 points.
The late run was started by turnovers and low post baskets by Jake White who finished with a game high 20 points. EIU had a basket by
Lucas Jones and free throw by
Trae Anderson as its scoring over the final four minutes. Omaha led 41-25 at the half.
Omaha extended the lead to as high as 22 points at the 13:05 mark of the second half. EIU chipped away at the lead with Anderson taking the ball into the paint. Anderson led EIU with 15 points with nine rebounds. EIU won the battle on the glass for the first time this season finishing with a 46-30 rebound edge including 23 offensive rebounds.
EIU was able to get the Omaha lead down to ten points on a 3-pointer by
Demetrius McReynolds with 1:48 to play as the Mavericks led 72-62 at that point. McReynolds had 11 points.
Cornell Johnston rounded out the double figure scorers for EIU with 12 points.
Omaha had 18 points from Tre'Shawn Thurman and 15 points from Devin Patterson. Hollins had 11 assists for the Mavericks.