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Eastern Illinois had a chance to take the lead and then a chance to tie in the final 26 seconds on Tuesday night but could not get either opportunity to fall as they lost a hard fought 60-57 game to SIUE at Groniger Arena.
 
The Panthers led 54-50 with 4:13 remaining in the game on a dunk by Nakyel Shelton as part of his 14 point night.  SIUE closed to within one point on a Ray'Sean Taylor three point play with 3:55 to play as EIU went just over the next three minutes without scoring.
 
Desmond Polk gave the Cougars a late lead at 55-54 with a jumper in the lane with 3:27 to play.  Taylor pushed the lead to three points with a pair of free throws as he finished the night 11-of-11 from the line with 19 points.
 
EIU was able to remain in the contest as other SIUE players went 1-for-6 at the line in the final 2:28 of the game.
 
Kooper Jacobi converted a three point bring EIU within one point at 58-57 with 1:03 to play as he just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
Taylor made two free throws to push the lead back to three points after he grabbed a rebound following a missed EIU shot to take the lead with 26 seconds left to play.
 
EIU would get one more chance to tie but a 3-pointer in the final seconds came up short.
 
Zion Fruster led EIU with 17 points as the Panthers fell to 5-10 overall, 1-3 in the OVC.
 
Ring Malith added 15 points, 11 rebounds for SIUE which moved to 10-6 overall, 3-2 in the OVC.