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Box Score  |  Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois men's basketball had a big run midway through the first half that led to a 40-33 lead at the half.  In the second half it was UT Martin that got hot at the right time as the Skyhawks handed EIU a 73-68 loss on Senior Night at First Mid Court at Lantz Arena.
 
EIU honored eight players prior to the game as Kashawn Charles, Jordan Skipper-Brown, Mack Smith, Marvin Johnson, Sammy Friday IV, Josiah Wallace, Deang Deang and George Dixon all suited up for the last time for EIU.  The Panthers finished the season at 9-18 overall, 6-14 in the OVC.   UTM wrapped up its year at 8-16 overall, 6-14 in the OVC.
 
That Panthers group of eight played a bulk of the minutes on Saturday afternoon as only Henry Abraham (two minutes) and Barlow Alleruzzo IV (one minute) came off the bench at any time.  That core group of eight players sparked a 19-0 in the first half as EIU had trailed by nine points early and rallied to lead by 13 points with 3:17 left in the first half.  UTM cut into that margin to trail by seven at the break.
 
UTM opened the second half with a 10-0 run which gave them the lead as the game witnessed six lead changes and three ties.
 
Skipper-Brown just missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds.  Johnson added 17 points and six assists.
 
Smith finished with nine points, Wallace with seven, Dixon, Charles and Friday IV with five each.  Deang rounded out the seniors with two points and three assists.
 
Cameron Holden scored 27 points to lead four UTM players in double figures.