NASHVILLE – Eastern Illinois saw its three point halftime lead evaporate just two minutes into the second half as Tennessee State used an early 10-0 in the half to beat EIU, 63-49, on Saturday afternoon the Gentry Center.
 EIU fell to 5-23 overall, 3-12 in the OVC as the Panthers will wrap up their four games in eight days road trip on Monday evening at SIUE in a make-up contest from Feb. 3. TSU improved to 12-16 overall, 7-9 in the OVC.
EIU built a 26-23 lead at the half as the Panthers had a big first half 15-2 run sparked by the inside play of
Rodolfo Bolis and outside shooting of
Kashawn Charles. Both players scored eight first half points for EIU.
Kenny Cooper gave TSU its first lead since early in the contest with his 3-pointer with 17:58 putting the Tigers up 30-28. Cooper scored all ten of his points in the second half as his 3-pointer triggered a 10-0 TSU run.Â
Sammy Friday IV would end TSU's run with a lay-up with 15:37 remaining in the game.  Friday scored eight points for EIU.
Jalen Dupree would give TSU its first double figure lead of the game with 7:40 remaining hitting a 3-pointer following an EIU turnover. The Panthers turned the ball over 19 times in the game leading to 26 points for TSU.
EIU would get the lead back to single digits one time in the final seven minutes on a
Kejuan Clements driving lay-up. Clements led EIU with 12 points. Bolis finished with ten points and seven rebounds.
Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. led TSU with 15 points while Kassim Nicholson finished with 12. TSU shot 58 percent from the field in the second half including hitting 5-of-9 from 3-point range.