Tweet #W1NasONE

Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Eastern Illinois jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back as the Panthers won their fourth straight game to close out the regular season with a 70-52 win at SIUE.

EIU improved to 16-14 overall, 9-9 in the OVC as the Panthers will play on Wednesday night in the OVC Tournament.  SIUE ends the year at 8-23 overall, 5-13 in the OVC.

Kashawn Charles hit a pair of 3-pointers in the 10-0 in what proved to be a big night for the guard as he finished with 17 points.

SIUE cut the lead to six points before the Panthers extended it back to 12 points on a 3-pointer by Mack Smith with 8:54 to play in the first putting EIU up 19-7.  Smith had 16 points in the game knocking down four 3-pointers as he moved into fourth on the EIU career 3-pointers made list and extended his consecutive games with a made 3-pointer streak to 79 games.

Charles transition lay-up with 30 seconds left in the half put EIU up 35-17 as they led 35-19 at the break.  

EIU opened the second half much the same way as the Panthers opened the game as a 10-2 run provided the Panthers a cushion in the second half. 

Lamar Wright was able to get the Panthers led back under 20 points for the first time in the second half with a pair of free throws with 3:41 left in the game. 

EIU ended the night knocking down 12 3-pointers. Josiah Wallace had 13 points and seven assists.  JaQualis Matlock added ten points with Shareef Smith collecting eight assists.

Tyresse Williford led the Cougars with 17 points.