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Eastern Illinois had an all-around team effort on Thursday night as the Panthers picked up a 63-54 road win at Southern Indiana.

EIU had ten early points from both Nakyel Shelton and Artese Stapleton as they finished as two of three Panthers in double figures.

EIU led 30-27 at the half and held the lead for the entire second half.

Damoni Harrison trimmed the EIU lead to 52-51 with 4:02 to play on a 3-pointer followed by an offensive foul on the next EIU possession.

The Panthers turned to their defense, forcing turnovers on the next three USI possessions to finish with 12 steals in the game leading to 24 points off turnovers.

Shelton had a steal for EIU and converted one of two at the foul line after being fouled.  He sank a big 3-pointer with just over two minutes left to play giving EIU the cushion it needed.  Shelton finished with 18 points.

Stapleton had a steal and helped ice the game making three of four at the line in the final minute to finish with 17 points.  Zion Fruster was the third Panther in double figures with 13 points.

EIU dominated play on the glass with a 45-33 advantage.  Kooper Jacobi hauled in 11 rebounds.  Rodolfo Bolis just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

Harrison led USI with 20 points.  Stephen Olowoniyi was 6-of-7 from the field finishing with 16 points as he slowly helped the Screaming Eagles climb back in the game early in the second half.

EIU is now 9-19 overall, 5-12 in the OVC.  USI is 9-18 overall, 4-13 in the OVC.