Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

Eastern Illinois held a brief first half lead and trailed by three at the half before Notre Dame warmed up from 3-point range in the second half to beat the Panthers 78-58.

Freshman Markus Blackwell gave EIU a 19-18 lead in the first half with a 3-pointer with 7:03 to play in the first. 

Kooper Jacobi put the Panthers up two late in the first half with a 3-pointer, one of four the senior knocked down during his 20-point night.

The Fighting Irish (3-0) closed the half with a five point run with Markus Burton converting a three point play for the final first half points.  Burton led Notre Dame with 21 points, one of three Irish players in double figures.

In the second half Braeden Shrewsberry began to warm up from outside as Notre Dame hit 7-of-15 from 3-point range in the second half with Shrewsberry going 6-of-8 in the game to score 18 points.

Preston Turner scored 14 points for EIU while Zion Fruster finished in double figures for the third straight game with 11 points.  

EIU fell to 1-2 on the season.  Malik Olafioye pulled down a team high five rebounds as Notre Dame won the battle on the glass by a 40-24 margin.   Carson Towt had 11 rebounds for Notre Dame.