Eastern Illinois men's basketball battled back from down 13 points in the second half but a three-point play with 11 seconds left sank the Panthers comeback at Valparaiso falling 66-63.

EIU trailed 31-25 at the as they were saddled with early foul trouble that had Valpo making 19 first half trips to the free throw line.

Malik Olayfioye helped the Panthers tie the game with a couple of big baskets in the second half, the first with 5:41 to play knotting the game at 51-51.  He would put the Panthers up 55-53 with a jumper with 4:35 to play.  Olafioye finished with nine points.

The two teams traded baskets over the next few minutes with JT Pettigrew putting the Beacons up 60-57 with 1:43 to play.

Terry McMorris responded for EIU with a three-point play to square the game at 60-60 with 1:26 to play.  McMorris posted his first career double-double coming off the bench for 11 points and 11 rebounds.

In the end it was Pettigrew with a three-point play for the Beacons to seal the game as he scored 13 points as one of three Valpo players in double figures.  Isaiah Barnes had 15 and Rakim Chaney had 12.

Preston Turner led EIU with 16 points including a late basket that gave EIU a 63-61 lead in the final minute.  Zion Fruster joined Turner and McMorris in double figures with 12.