Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

Eastern Illinois had four players score in double figures on Saturday night but a cold start to the second half allowed Lindenwood to claim an 82-74 win over the Panthers in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams.
 
EIU led 41-34 at the half after shooting a season best 54.8 percent from the field.  Meechie White and Kooper Jacobi both reached double figures in the first 20 minutes with White scoring 13 and Jacobi ten.
 
In the second half, EIU opened the half hitting three of its first fourteen shots as the Lions were able to climb back into the contest tying it at 47-47 with 15:10 to play.
 
Lindenwood took the lead two more times over the next seven minutes with Zion Fruster knotting the contest at 57-57 with 8:04 to play.   Fruster finished with 14 points off the bench.
 
The Lions gave themselves some breathing room with a 6-0 run sparked by two quick baskets by Dontrez Williams, one of four Lindenwood players in double figures with 18.
 
Malik Olafioye converted a driving lay-up with 5:15 to play to bring EIU back within two points but the Panthers could get no closer.  Olafioye scored 14 points off the bench.
 
Anias Furtrell hit free throws with just over a minute remaining to give Lindenwood its first double figure lead before the final eight point mark.  Futrell has 15 points.  Jadis Jones led Lindenwood with 23 points.
 
White finished the game with 13 points for EIU adding seven rebounds and six assists.  Jacobi had a double-double with 20 points, ten rebounds.
 
EIU falls to 2-6 overall, 0-1 in the OVC.  Lindenwood won its third straight improving to 5-4, 1-0 in the OVC.