Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

Eastern Illinois defense came up big all night including on the final possession as the Panthers picked up a 75-74 win over Tennessee Tech on Thursday night at Groniger Arena.
 
Tiny Lewis gave the Panthers the one point lead with seven seconds remaining knocking down a pair of free throws.   Lewis scored 12 points, one of five Panthers in double figures.
 
EIU made stops on the final two Tennessee Tech offensive possessions collecting 18 steals in the game leading to 22 points off turnovers.
 
The Panthers had led 60-51 at the end of three quarters but that lead was erased by the Golden Eagles behind the sharp shooting of Reagan Hurst who hit a pair of big 3-pointers including one with 1:37 to play giving TTU a 74-70 lead.  Hurst had ten points.
 
EIU scored the final five points on a 3-pointer by Lewis and her two free throws as EIU improved to 2-14 overall, 1-4 in the OVC. 
 
TTU took its first lead of the fourth quarter with 6:22 remaining on a basket by LaReesha Cawthorn as she finished with ten points.  Reghan Grimes led the Golden Eagles with 29 points as they fell to 10-4 overall, 3-2 in the OVC.
 
EIU shot 54.4 percent for the game.  Ava Stoller led EIU with 15 points followed by Sydney-James Desroches with 14.  Meioshe Mason had 13 and Clara Glad 11 points to go with five steals.