CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Seniors Reggie Smith and Josh Piper provided sparks at different times on Thursday night and newcomers Cornell Johnston and Trae Anderson provided the rest of the offense as Eastern Illinois picked up a 66-55 road win at Austin Peay. 

EIU improved to 15-10 overall, 8-4 in the OVC.  EIU returns to action on Saturday night with a 7 p.m. game at SIU Edwardsville.  The game will be televised on Fox Sports Midwest.  APSU fell to 7-18, 2-9 in the OVC.

The first half was back and forth between the two teams as they had ten lead changes and nine ties with EIU leading 39-31 at the half.

Johnston started the scoring for EIU before the opening tip sinking two free throws on a technical foul.  Johnston would keep the offense flowing for the Panthers in the opening portion of the half scoring ten points by the second media timeout.  Johnston had 15 points in the first half and 20 for the game.  The freshman guard added eight assists.

The Governors were hot to open the half building a seven point lead with 12:36 to play.  Josh Robinson connected for a 3-pointer to put APSU up 13-6. 
EIU then made ten of its next eleven shots including closing the half on a 10-0 run capped with a Smith 3-pointer in the right corner as the clock expired.  EIU shot 64 percent in the first 20 minutes and 57 percent for the game.

Anderson hit a basket to open the second half for EIU pushing the lead to double figures.  The Panthers then went through a scoring drought that lasted six minutes, forty-one seconds.   Smith ended the Panthers scoreless streak with a driving lay-up at the 11:19 mark, EIU regained the lead 43-41 after Robinson had tied it at 41-41 for the Governors.

Piper made his first appearance in the game midway through the second half and sparked EIU with back-to-back baskets to push the lead to 47-41.  It was Piper's 116th career game played as he moved to 8th on the EIU career games played list.

Robinson brought the Governors back within two points at 49-47 before Johnston sank a 3-pointer for EIU.  The Panthers extended their lead to 58-49 on a jumper by Anderson.  Anderson finished with 19 points for EIU.

Chris Freeman and Chris Horton both scored in double figures for Austin Peay.  Freeman had 20.  Horton had 13 points and nine rebounds.   The EIU defense held APSU to 23 percent shooting for the second half and 33 percent for the game.