MARTIN, Tenn. –
Kejuan Clements took charge for Eastern Illinois men's basketball down the stretch helping lead the Panthers to a 58-53 win at UT Martin on Thursday night.
The win snapped a ten-game losing skid as the Panthers are now 3-17 overall, 1-6 in the OVC. UT Martin fell to 7-14 overall, 3-6 in the OVC.
EIU led 30-23 at the half after shooting 57 percent from the floor in the opening half. The Panthers extended that lead to eight points on a
Sammy Friday IV bucket with 8:45 left in the game. Friday's basket gave EIU a 42-34 lead as Friday finished with 13 points.
UT Martin would trim the lead to two points with 3:14 left in the contest on a 3-pointer by David Didenko. The Skyhawks ended the night just 3-of-22 from 3-point range.
Following a one-of-two trip to the free throw line by the Panthers, KJ Simon tied the game at 47-47 converting an old fashioned three point play.Â
Clements then put the Panthers offense on his shoulders hitting a pair of free throws with 1:37 left in the game and a jumper in the lane with 53 seconds left giving the Panthers a 53-49 lead. Clements ended the game with 12 points.Â
EIU would close out the game with a
CJ Lane lay-up with 18 seconds left in the game as they ended the game shooting 54 percent from the floor. All seven players in uniform for EIU would make their way into the score column.
Bernie Andre scored 18 points to lead UT Martin including a jumper with two minutes remaining that tied the score at 49-49. KK Curry had 16 points. Â