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MARTIN, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois went without a field goal for just over ten and a half minutes on Saturday night but in the end the Panthers were able to lock up a spot in this year's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with a 64-57 win at UT Martin.
EIU improved to 10-17 overall, 6-10 in the OVC. The Panthers wrap up the regular season next weekend at home hosting Murray State on Thursday and SIUE on Saturday. UTM fell to 9-20 overall, 4-12 in the OVC.
The Panthers would lead by 12 points at 42-30 just over midway through the second half extending the lead with a couple of free throws.
UT Martin went on an 11-1 run taking advantage of a Panthers ten minute, forty second stretch where they did not have a field goal. UTM took the lead with 10:12 to play on a Darius Thompson lay-up at 43-42.
The two teams would be tied for the fourth and final time of the game at the 4:11 mark as Matthew Butler made a free throw to even the score at 54-54.
Muusa Dama put the Panthers in front on the next possession with a dunk followed by an
Aboubacar Diallo free throw that gave EIU a three point lead with 2:48 to play.Â
Montell Goodwin drained a 3-pointer which put the Panthers in control with 1:51 to play at 60-54. Goodwin finished with 18 points.
Both teams opened with 8-0 runs with Butler knocking down a pair of 3-pointers for the Skyhawks. EIU answered with 3-pointers by Goodwin and
Ray Crossland.
Crossland had a big first half for the Panthers scoring 11 of his 12 points. He would score five points for EIU as the Panthers went on a 10-0 run in the latter part of the first half. EIU began the run at the 6:50 mark of the first half holding a 24-22 lead.Â
The Panthers would hold UTM scoreless for just over five and a half minutes as the Panthers held a 36-26 halftime lead.Â
Dama rounded out the Panthers double figure scorers with 12 points.Â
D'Angelo Jackson pulled down a game high ten rebounds with five on the offensive glass.
Butler had 18 points for UTM, Fatodd Lewis added 11.