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Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Tennessee State made free throws when the Tigers needed them in the final minutes as they held off Eastern Illinois, 66-61, on Wednesday night in Ohio Valley Conference action in Lantz Arena.
Eastern Illinois closed to within one point three times in the final minute after trailing by as many as 17 points in the first half. The Panthers fell to 4-11 overall, 1-2 in the OVC. EIU will play at Belmont on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. TSU improved to 11-4, 2-0 in the OVC.
Trae Anderson's lay-up with 1:02 remaining cut TSU's lead to 57-56 as the Panthers used a 7-0 run over a three minute time frame.
Demetrius McReynolds hit a 3-pointer and jumper to begin the run with Anderson closing it out with his lay-up. Anderson had 20 points to lead EIU.
Keron DeShields ended EIU's run with a 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining only to see
Cornell Johnston drain a three from the top of the key to cut the lead back to one point with 39 seconds left. Tahjere McCall hit six straight free throws in the final 29 seconds to seal the win for TSU as EIU could only add an Anderson bucket with 13 seconds left. McCall had a game high 24 points going 12-of-14 from the free throw line.
TSU jumped out to an early lead in the first half with free throws by Armani Chaney giving TSU a 15-5 lead with 12:20 to play in the first. TSU would extend the lead to 17 points on a three point play by McCall with 4:45 to play in the first putting the Tigers up 28-11.
EIU closed the first half with a 12-3 run to only trail 31-23 at the break as Johnston sank a 3-pointer with 40 seconds to play in the first half. Johnston just missed a double-double on the night finishing with 15 points and nine assists.
The Panthers continued to increase their offense in the second half knotting the game at 42-42 with 11:27 to play as Anderson hit a jumper at the free throw line.
TSU broke the tie with a 5-0 run as Marcus Roper's 3-pointer at the 10:25 mark put the Tigers up 47-42. TSU would only hit three more field goals the remainder of the game finishing the night at 40 percent shooting. TSU held on going 13-of-16 from the free throw line in the second half.
Marshawn Blackmon had seven rebounds to lead EIU as they won the battle on the glass.
DeShields had 14 points and Wayne Martin added 10 points with eight rebounds.