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Box Score

LITTLE ROCK – Cameron Haffner hit a 3-pointer with two seconds left in regulation on Saturday afternoon but Eastern Illinois could not come all the way back to collect the win falling in overtime 81-77 at Little Rock.

With the loss both EIU and Little Rock are now tied for eighth place in the OVC standings with one week remaining in the conference season with both holding 9-20 overall records, 5-11 in the OVC.

Little Rock led by as many as 11 points in the second half after leading by just one, 28-27, at the half.  Myron Gardner pushed the Trojans lead to 67-64 in regulation with 34 seconds left and EIU played to extend the game going inside for a quick two by Nick Ellington to make it 67-66.  Ellington led EIU with 20 points.

DJ Smith converted the first of what would prove to be key free throws for him making it 69-66 Little Rock in regulation.  Haffner then sank his 3-pointer with two-seconds left to make it a 69-69 score at the end of 40 minutes.  Haffner had 17 points including 5-of-8 from 3-point range.

In overtime scoring was again back-and-forth with each team pulling out to a one basket lead.  Kinyon Hodges put EIU up 74-71 with a three-point play.  Gardner cut EIU's lead to one and DeAntoni Gordon gave the Trojans the lead with a put-back.

Smith's lay-up with 59 seconds remaining gave Little Rock a three-point lead.  Smith led the Trojans with 20 points.  After a Caleb Donaldson three-point play tied the game at 77-77, Smith grabbed a loose ball rebound on a missed EIU shot and was fouled.  He made the free throws and finished the game with a lay-up following a long inbounds pass as time expired.

Hodges scored 17 points as the third Panther in double figures.  Four total Trojans finished in double figures.  Gordon had 18 and Gardner 11.  Isaiah Palermo provided Little Rock a first half spark with five of his seven steals and 17 points in the game.