Eastern Illinois men's basketball battled back from an early double digit deficit on Sunday afternoon closing to within five points late in the second half. In the end, 39 trips to the free throw line by Miami (Ohio) were too much to overcome as the Panthers lost 76-64 to the RedHawks.
Miami jumped out early putting Eastern Illinois in early foul trouble as they were playing without three point guards on the roster which led to several early turnovers before the Panthers settled down and committed 16 for the game.
Miami went up double digits with 13:15 to play on free throws by Darweshi Hunter giving the RedHawks a 15-4 lead. The lead grew to as high as 18 points with 9:12 to play on a jumper by Hunter, who finished with 16 points. The RedHawks led 43-30 at the half.
In the second half
Kooper Jacobi's bucket with 7:39 that made it 63-55 cutting the margin to single digits for the first time since early in the first half. EIU would then make three straight free throws at the line following a regular foul and technical foul to trim the lead to five.
Nakyel Shelton hit the second two free throws as part of his 21-point day to lead EIU.
EIU was able to cut the lead back to five three other times over the next three minutes following baskets by Miami but could not get closer.
Evan Ipsaro was 4-of-4 at the foul line in the final 90 seconds as part of his 11-for-11 day at the line finishing with 18 points. Miami ended the day 31-of-39 at the stripe.
Jacobi and
Sincere Malone both had seven rebounds to lead EIU as the Panthers won the battle on the glass. Malone had ten points with
Kyndall Davis also scoring ten to round out the double figure EIU scorers.
EIU falls to 2-4 on the season, Miami is now 2-2.