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Pierce Holley rushed for three scores and the crucial two-point conversion as Eastern Illinois beat Bryant 25-24 in overtime on Saturday afternoon at O'Brien Field.

Holley found the end zone in the first quarter, second quarter and overtime periods.   He then rushed in on the two-point conversion in overtime to hand EIU the win.  Holley finished with 19 yards rushing in the game while passing for 244 yards.

The Panthers are now 5-3 on the season, 1-2 in the Big South-OVC.   Bryant fell to 3-4, 1-1 in the Big South-OVC.
 
Holley put the Panthers on the board on their opening drive as they went 75 yards on 11 plays with Holley scoring on a 2-yard run.   He would add a 1-yard plunge just before the half to give EIU a 17-10 lead at the break.
 
Bryant would score the only points in the second half with Fabrice Mukendi scoring the first of his two rushing touchdowns with 11:26 left in the game.
 
Both teams would have one final crack to win the game in regulation with both attempting a long field goal that was blocked by the opponent.  Tre'jon Lewis was credited with the field goal block for EIU on a 50-yard attempt by Ethan Gettman.   EIU had a Stone Galloway field 53-yard attempt blocked as time expired with the block credited to Michael Otty.
 
In overtime, Bryant opened with the first possession with Mukendi scoring from 1-yard out. 
 
EIU answered with its own short rushing touchdown as Holley scored from 2-yards out.  He then pushed his way in on the two-point conversion for the win.
 
The Panthers were balanced offensively with Kendi Young the leading rusher with 69 yards.  Justin Bowick caught six passes for 96 yards.
 
Quarterback Zevi Eckhaus led the Bulldogs in both rushing (62 yards) while passing for 175 yards hitting Konor Lathrop for a first half touchdown.
 
Blake Ruffin and Phoenix Porter led EIU with five tackles each with Joel Barrows forcing a fumble for the lone Bryant turnover of the game.  Russell Dandy had three pass break-ups.
 
Lake Ellis had seven tackles with an interception to lead the Bryant defense.