CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois was 24-of-31 at the foul line on Monday night as their foul shooting kept the Panthers within striking distance during a 62-54 loss at Austin Peay.
EIU fell to 5-21 overall, 3-10 in the OVC. APSU improved to 10-14 overall, 6-8 in the OVC.
After opening with a hot streak from 3-point range, Austin Peay cooled off in the second half from behind the arc. The Governors hit four of their first five shots building a 14-2 lead in the opening four minutes.
APSU stretched its lead to 21 points with 3:09 left in the first half before leading 40-22 at the half.
In the second half EIU continued to get trips to the free throw line as they finished 12-of-17 at the stripe in the second half.  EIU was able to get the lead back to single digits for the first time since the early minutes of the contest on a
Sammy Friday IV free throw with 7:09 left in the game, cutting APSU's lead to 49-40.
A pair of free throws by
Dan Luers trimmed the Governors lead down to seven points with 6:56 left in the game as Austin Peay went through a more than four minute run of not scoring.
EIU climbed to within five points with 1:32 left in the contest as Luers completed a three point play cutting the APSU lead to 55-50. Luers finished with 16 points going 10-of-11 from the foul line.
Carlos Paez, who had hit two 3-pointers in the Governors opening run, delivered what proved to be the clinching shot as he sank a 3-pointer with 1:07 to play ending a 1-for-15 clip from 3-point range by the Governors. Paez finished with 13 points leading APSU.
Paul Bizimana had a double-double for the Panthers finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds.Â
Kejuan Clements scored 13 points.
Elijah Hutchins-Everett had a double-double for APSU with 12 points, 10 rebounds.