RICHMOND, Ky. – For the second time in two weeks Eastern Illinois men's basketball had some late game heroics by
CJ Lane snatched away on a late second shot by its opponent.
On Wednesday it was UAlbany's Justin Neely hitting a 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining as the Great Danes beat Eastern Illinois, 64-62, in the final game of the EKU Hoops Invitational presented by Geneva Financial.
Lane had given the Panthers a 62-61 lead with 12 seconds remaining. It was the fourth lead change of the game in a tight contest that had six ties.Â
In the first half UAlbany built a 27-17 lead with 2:27 left in the first half following a Matt Cerruti 3-pointer that capped a 10-0 run. Cerruti would finish with 14 points for the Great Danes.  EIU would build some late momentum in the half finishing the final two minutes on a 9-0 run to trail 27-26 at the half.
Kashawn Charles gave EIU its first lead of the game with his 3-pointer with 13:55 remaining in the game. Charles finished with 14 points going 4-of-8 from 3-point range.Â
The Panthers would extend their lead to eight points with 7:33 left in the game on a 3-pointer by
Henry Abraham.  Abraham had nine points.Â
Jermaine Hamlin scored ten off the bench.
UAlbany would outscore EIU 13-5 over the next five minutes to tie the game 57-57 setting up the final game scenario for both teams.
EIU fell to 1-5 on the season and will host Evansville on Sunday at 1 p.m.  UAlbany moved to 1-5.