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MARTIN, Tenn. – In a battle to remain in the hunt for the Ohio Valley Conference West Division title both teams had a chance to win in the final 20 seconds but UT Martin needed overtime to hold knock off Eastern Illinois, 87-84.
EIU fell to 11-16 overall, 7-7 in the OVC. The Panthers return to action on Saturday afternoon at Southeast Missouri. UT Martin improved to 16-12 overall, 8-5 in the OVC.
Demetrius McReynolds gave EIU an early lead in overtime on a 3-pointer on the Panthers first possession. McReynolds finished with 19 points. McReynolds had a chance to give EIU the win in regulation as he caught a full court baseball pass from
Joe Kuligoski with 1.2 seconds left, but his shot fell short off the rim.
Myles Taylor knocked down four free throws sandwiched around a jumper by Jalen Variste that gave UTM a two possession lead in overtime. Taylor was one of two Skyhawks players with a double-double finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Taylor was 13-of-14 from the foul line.
EIU built a 39-30 lead in the first half as the Panthers shot 50 percent from the field and beyond the arc in the opening half. McReynolds hit a jumper at the foul line as time expired. EIU closed the half with a 16-6 run with
Trae Anderson giving the Panthers the lead with 4:30 to go on a lay-up.
EIU built the lead to 11 points in the second half and held off three runs by UTM that cut the lead to one point three times, the last with 4:16 to play in regulation as Taylor converted at the foul line.
Twymond Howard gave the Skyhawks their first lead of the second half converting a three point play with 3:35 to play. Howard had 29 points and 12 rebounds.
EIU had finished the game 15-of-29 from 3-point range which ties for the second most made 3-pointers in school history.
Cornell Johnston had a double-double with 12 points, 10 assists. Anderson had 19 points and Teson finished with 16.