Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

Eastern Illinois won its first Ohio Valley Conference Tournament game since 2020 as the Panthers knocked off No. 5 seed SIUE, 77-71, in overtime on Wednesday night.

Tied at 60-60 with 5:13 to play in regulation, Eastern Illinois went up four on baskets by Kooper Jacobi and Zion Fruster.  

Tyler King cut the lead down to one with a 3-pointer with two minutes left in regulation, one of 12 3-pointers the Cougars hit on the night.  King made four of those leading SIUE with 19 points. 

Arnas Sakenis put the Cougars up one with free throws with 1:11 to play only to see EIU tie the game at the line with 50 seconds left.  After a defensive stand, Kooper Jacobi's shot as time expired glanced off the rim to send the game to overtime tied 65-65.

Terry McMorris continued his big night for the Panthers with a basket with 3:04 to play putting EIU in front for the final time at 72-70.  Meechie White gave EIU some breathing room with free throws, extending the lead to 74-70.

McMorris posted his second double-double of the year with 15 points and 13 rebounds as EIU improved to 13-19 on the year.  He was one of four Panthers in double figures.

Zion Fruster led EIU with 23 points followed by Kooper Jacobi with 18.  Jacobi had a pair 3-pointers in the final minute of the first half to put EIU up 40-31 at the half.  Meechie White was the final Panther in double figures with ten.

Sakenis had a double-double for SIUE with 15 points and 12 rebounds.  He scored nine of his points at the free throw line.  Jordan Pickett had 12 and Jo Valrie ten as the Cougars closed the year at 19-13.