PDF Box | Photo Gallery (by
Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois knocked down 13 3-pointers and cracked the century mark on Monday evening as the Panthers improved to 8-4 on the season with a 101-49 win over Fontbonne University in Lantz Arena. EIU will wrap up its non-conference schedule on Wednesday with a 4:30 p.m. (Central) game at Indiana State.
EIU shook off a slow start as the Panthers missed their first five shots and trailed Fontbonne, 8-7, at the first media time out as Kody Ettinger hit a pair of jumpers and Jeff Smith converted two lay-ups in the paint.
The Panthers increased the defensive effort and slowly warmed up from the outside. EIU forced 16 first half turnovers leading to 18 points while
Casey Teson got the hot hand from 3-point range scoring 14 first half points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. EIU would finish the first half 9-of-17 from outside the arc they built a 54-26 halftime lead.
EIU finished the game 13-of-29 from 3-point range, the 13 made 3-pointer tying for the fifth most by an EIU team in a game. Teson finished the game 5-of-6 from 3-point range scoring a team-high 17 points.
Montell Goodwin added 14 points with three 3-pointers and
Demetrius McReynolds drained a pair of 3-pointers to finish as the third EIU player in double figures with 12 points. All 13 players on the EIU roster scored in the game.
The Panthers finished the game forcing 25 turnovers as they entered the game ranked 10th in the NCAA in turnovers forced per game. Three players had three steals as EIU finished with 15 in the game.
Lucas Jones led a solid rebounding effort with eight rebounds, three steals, two blocks and four points.
Aboubacar Diallo had four blocked shots.
Ray Crossland and
Logan Koch each passed out a team-high six assists.
Fontbonne finished the game shooting 34 percent from the floor. Dallas Haywood led the Griffins with ten points as they fell to 1-8 on the season.