Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

In a back-and-forth game, Eastern Illinois was a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor in overtime as the Panthers picked up a 76-72 win over SIUE on Thursday night at Groniger Arena.
 
The win moved EIU to 3-8 on the season and 1-1 in the OVC.  SIUE fell to 7-5 overall, 0-1 in the OVC.
 
The two teams were square after the first half at 33-33 with EIU running out to a 21-11 lead on a jumper by Zion Fruster with 8:53 to play in the first.  Fruster was a big part of the Panthers offense scoring 23 points off the bench.
 
SIUE closed the gap and led by four points with 4:32 to play in the opening half on a 3-pointer by Darrion Baker.  Fruster would tie the game with a three of his own with 29 seconds left in the half.
 
In the second half the Cougars pulled out to a ten point lead at 59-49 with 7:38 to play as Ring Malith scored seven straight points for SIUE.  Malith finished with 23 points for SIUE, one of three Cougars in double figures.
 
It was EIU that chipped away at the double digit lead this time with the Panthers tying the game at 61-61 with 3:32 to play on a three point play by Meechie White, part of an individual six point run as the junior guard had 21 points.
 
Both teams had just one basket in the final 2:45 of play with Fruster scoring for EIU and Arnas Sakenis for SIUE.
 
SIUE scored first in overtime on a Malith 3-pointer with EIU building a two possession lead on a driving lay-up by Andre Washington with 42 seconds left.  EIU closed out the game at the line.
 
Washington was the third EIU player in double figures with ten.  Kooper Jacobi pulled down ten rebounds. 
 
Harrison Alexander (13 pts) and Sakenis (10 pts) joined Malith in double figures for SIUE.