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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois men's basketball sent the four members of its senior class out with a victory at home as the Panthers closed out the regular season with a 68-56 win over SIUE on Saturday afternoon in Lantz Arena.
 
With the win EIU locked up the seven seed in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and will play the 8:30 pm game on Wednesday night against either Jacksonville State or Tennessee State based on outcomes later Saturday evening.   EIU is now 11-18 overall, 7-11 in the OVC. SIUE fell to 9-20 overall, 5-13 in the OVC but the Cougars did qualify for the OVC Tournament as the No. 8 seed based on other results in conference games.
 
After the two teams traded the lead six times just over midway through the second half, Jajuan Starks hit a jumper at the 7:03 mark that sparked a 14-0 run by the Panthers to give them a commanding lead.  Senior Ray Crossland followed Starks bucket with a 3-pointer as he scored six of his season high 18 points during the decisive run. 
 
SIUE had jumped out to quick 10-2 lead to open the game with Christian Ellis scoring on a three point play and Jalen Henry draining a 3-pointer from the top of the key.  The Panthers would answer with a quick run of their own as senior Montell Goodwin's lay-up with 10:57 to play in the first gave the Panthers a 13-12 lead.  Goodwin finished with 12 points as three of EIU's four seniors scored in double figures.
 
The two teams stayed within striking distance of each other for the remainder of the first half with EIU leading 32-28 at the half.  The Panthers scored their final bucket of the half on a steal by Crossland, finished with a coast-to-coast lay-up. 
 
EIU pushed its lead out to six points early in the second half on three free throws by Goodwin.  SIUE would eventually tie the game for the fourth time on a lay-up by David McFarland with 9:55 to play in the game and the score tied 43-43.  That was the final tie prior to Starks bucket that began the Panthers late run.
 
Similar to EIU's win at SIUE back in early February the Panthers made free throws when they needed them going 11-of-15 from the stripe in the second half.  Crossland, Goodwin and Mack Smith all made free throws in the final 35 seconds to help seal the win.  Smith scored 12 points while Muusa Dama rounded out the EIU seniors in double figures with 12 points.  It was the final home game for Crossland, Goodwin, Dama and DeVantae' Price.
 
Henry scored ten of his game high 20 points in the first half.  Keenan Simmons posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.  Ellis added ten points.