Eastern Illinois held an 11-10 lead at the first media timeout on Monday night but the Panthers could not overcome No. 24 Illinois living at the free throw line as the Fighting Illini won the season opener over EIU 112-67.

Nakyel Shelton scored 16 points including a 3-pointer that gave EIU that 11-10 lead with 15:57 to play in the first half.

Illinois made 27 first half trips to the free throw line knocking down 23 for an 85 percent clip.  They would finish the game shooting 74 percent from the line going 34-of-46.

In the second half Illinois turned to its outside shooting as they knocked down 11-of-24 from 3-point range going 16-of-42 during the game.  Will Riley and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn had the big days from long range for Illinois combining for nine 3-pointers.  Riley finished with 31 points, Gibbs-Lawhorn had 21 points.

EIU's defense did force 13 Illinois turnovers in the game with EIU committing just eight.

It marked the third straight season EIU has opened the year playing at nationally ranked Illinois. 

EIU had four players finish in double figures led by Shelton's16 points.  Artese Stapleton had 11 points, Obadiah Curtis ten and Zion Fruster ten for the Panthers.

The Panthers open their home schedule on Wednesday hosting Earlham College at 7 p.m.