Eastern Illinois took the lead with a 10-0 run midway through the second half to take a three point lead but a late offensive spurt by Tennessee State carried the Tigers to a 77-68 win over EIU on Thursday at the Gentry Center.

TSU led 33-30 at the half before building a couple possession lead early in the second half. 

EIU was able to storm back converting a couple steals into baskets going on a 10-0 run to take a 45-42 lead with 13:00 minutes left in the game.

Markus Blackwell provided a lift off the bench scoring 12 points as the freshmen went 4-of-5 from 3-point range in the game.

TSU had a 6-0 run to take the lead with 7:45 remaining to take the lead for good  Aaron Nkrumah and Antoine Lorick III sparked the Tigers offense as both players finished over 20 points. 

Lorick led TSU with 24 points, Nkrumah had 23.

EIU made one final run with baskets by Meechie White and Kooper Jacobi but could never regain the lead.  White and Jacobi both had 15 points for the Panthers.

EIU won the battle on the glass with a 32-27 advantage led by Zion Fruster and Terry McMorris both with eight rebounds.  EIU fell to 9-15 overall, 5-8 in the OVC.

TSU improved to 15-8 overall, 9-4 in the OVC with guard Dante Harris passing out ten assists.