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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Eastern Illinois was able to grind out a 59-56 win on Saturday afternoon at the Stephens Center improving to 2-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
EIU improves to 5-6 overall, 2-0 in the OVC. Little Rock falls to 3-8 overall, 1-1 in the OVC.
EIU held Litle Rock without a field goal the final 5:31 of the game including a shot that rolled off the rim with four seconds remaining that would have knotted the game at 58-58.
Alex Rouse gave the Panthers a 58-56 lead with 48 seconds left in the game finishing with eight points.Â
Macy McGlone made one of two at the foul line for the final points.
McGlone became the EIU career leader in double-doubles with 35 midway through the third quarter as the senior finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds.
EIU took advantage of several Little Rock field goal lapses during the game building a 25-23 lead at the half and a 12 point lead in the third quarter with 4:24 to play after a 3-pointer by
Lalani Ellis.
Little Rock cut the lead to five points to end the third quarter on consecutive baskets by Faith Lee. Lee scored 12 points, one of two Trojans in double figures.
Jayla Brooks made the Trojans lone 3-pointer of the game to open the fourth quarter cutting the lead to 44-42. She tied the game at 54-54 with a pair of free throws to finish with eight points.
In the final two minutes
Sydney-James Desroches gave EIU a 56-54 lead with free throws while Sug Williams tied the game at 56-56 with a pair of free throws setting the table for final minute of action.
EIU was 5-of-13 from 3-point land with a pair of 3's by
Tiny Lewis. EIU finished the game 14-of-19 from the foul line. Little Rock was just 17-of-31 from the line in the game.
Kiyley Flowers had nine points for the Panthers followed by eight by both Rouse and Ellis. Desroches scored seven.
Holman led Little Rock with 18 points. Brooks had nine rebounds to go with her eight points.Â