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CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Eastern Illinois men's basketball team (1-1, OVC 0-0) came away with a 97-61 victory over Earlham College (0-0, HCAC 0-0) at Groniger Arena to secure their first win of the 2024 season. The Panthers finished the night with four double-digit scorers. 

Artese Stapleton led the Panthers offense with17 points, shooting six of ten from the field. Kooper Jacobi also finished the evening as second leading scorer for EIU, recording 16 points and 11 rebounds on his way to his first double-double performance of the year.  

The Panthers shot 52.2% from the field, marking their best shooting performance since posting a 59.4% shooting percentage on Dec. 17, against Blackburn College. EIU also shot 35.7% from behind the arc while holding the Quakers to 22 of 65 shooting on the night.  

Eastern Illinois out rebounded Earlham 52-27 while grabbing 18 boards on the offense end of the court. Ken Walker led Earlham in scoring as he finished the night with 17 points, shooting 43.8%.  

EIU finished the night with six total players in double figures.  Zion Fruster (15 pts), Nakyel Shelton (14 pts), Obadiah Curtis (13 pts) and Isaiah Griffin (10 pts) followed Stapleteon and Jacobi in the double figure scoring column.

The Panthers are back in action on Sunday as they are set to take on the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly hall at 11am.