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Tennessee State used an 8-1 run midway through the second half to take control of a game that was tied at halftime on Thursday night at the Gentry Center in Nashville.Â
TSU would connect on free throws in the final minute to win 78-73 over Eastern Illinois.
The game was tied at 35-35 at the half with
Nakyel Shelton scoring ten of his 12 points in the first half.  EIU was 10-of-14 at the foul line in the opening half before going 6-of-10 at the stripe in the second half.
Shelton's jumper with 13:07 to play gave EIU its final lead of the game at 47-46. Justin Williams answered for TSU triggering an 8-1 Tigers run.Â
The Panthers cut the TSU lead down to three points two times the remainder of the game, both times on baskets by
Corey Sawyer Jr.  Sawyer scored late to finish in double figures with 14 points, one of four Panthers in double figures.
Kyndall Davis led EIU with 16 points.Â
Tiger Booker added 12.
EIU would end the night winning the battle on the glass by a 35-33 margin.Â
Jermaine Hamlin and Shelton each had seven to lead the Panthers.
EJ Bellinger led TSU with 17 points.  TSU improved to 16-12 overall, 9-6 in the OVC.  EIU fell to 13-15 overall, 7-8 in the OVC. Â