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MURRAY, Ky. – Eastern Illinois hit a scoring drought during a crucial late game stretch that allowed Murray State to rally and beat the Panthers, 86-75, on Thursday at the CFSB Center.

EIU fell to 13-11, 6-5 in the OVC.  Murray State improved to 18-4 overall, 9-2.

It was a game of runs for both teams that eventually ended with the Racers making the final run that decided the game.

Murray State opened the game jumping out to a 17-7 lead as they hit 5-of-6 shots from 3-point range including 4-of-4 from Ja Morant.

EIU answered with a 17-0 run of its own as the Panthers went up 27-19.  JaQualis Matlock hit a pair of 3-pointers during the Panthers run as he finished with eight points and seven rebounds.

Mike Davis would end the run for the Panthers with a basket in the paint at the 8:03 mark.  A flagrant foul would be called on EIU in the final minutes of the first that allowed the Racers to end the half with a 7-0 run and tie the game 40-40.

Murray State opened second half with a short spurt that forced the Panthers to play catch-up for the first seven minutes of the half.  Kashawn Charles sank a 3-pointer at the 13:01 mark that tied the game at 58-58. EIU finished the night 12-of-29 from 3-point range.

Josiah Wallace had 16 of his 18 points in the second half with his 3-pointer with 10:19 remaining giving EIU the lead.  Ben Harvey had a steal and converted a three point play to put EIU up 71-64.  

The Panthers would then hit a span of five and a half minutes without a basket that allowed Murray State to answer.  Shaq Buchanan finished off a four-point play at the 7:12 mark to cut EIU's margin to 71-70. Buchanan finished with 18 points.

Tevin Brown's 3-pointer would put the Racers with 6:46 to play.  Shareef Smith hit a 3-pointer on the next EIU possession that was called off for a shot clock violation allowing the Racers to remain in front for the rest of the game.

Mack Smith had 13 points and Cam Burrell 11 for EIU.

Morant finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.  Darnell Cowart also had a double-double finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds.