Eastern Illinois made eight straight free throws over the final 1:48 as the Panthers picked up a big road win, 60-54, on Saturday afternoon at Tennessee Tech.

EIU led 31-19 at the half and extended the lead to 40-23 with 15:48 to play in the second half as Zion Fruster capped a 7-0 run for the Panthers.

Brandon Muntu would tie the game at 52-52 for Tennessee Tech with 3:22 to play as the Golden Eagles erased the 17-point Panthers lead.  It was one of only three made 3-pointers for TTU in the game as they finished 3-of-20.

Fruster put EIU back in the lead with a pair of free throws at 1:48 followed by another set of free throws by Terry McMorris to push the lead back to two possessions.

Ja'Quavian Florence cut the lead down to two with a pair of free throws with 1:11 to play.

Nazareth Fisher and Fruster converted the final four free throws for the Panthers as they improved to 10-15 overall, 6-8 in the OVC.

Fruster led three EIU players in double figures with 20 points.  Meechie White had 11 points and Kooper Jacobi added ten.

JaJuan Nicholls double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds led Tennessee Tech as they dropped to 10-15 overall, 5-9 in the OVC.  Jacobe Whitted added ten.