The main difference in Eastern’s dramatic 73-70 win is the low scoring output of Arkansas State’s two-man inside-out combination.

The debate is whether the low numbers of Adrian Banks and Issac Wells were because of Eastern’s defense or if the pair of upperclassmen leaders took themselves out of the game.

The duo came into Lantz Arena averaging 36 points combined and were held to a total of 21 points and eight rebounds while having nine turnovers.

“Other guys were scoring and that’s why they didn’t get many shots,” Eastern head coach Mike Miller said. “I thought our defensive effort was inconsistent.”

With the game tied 70-70 with 33 seconds left, Arkansas State called a timeout and ran a play for Banks to take the last shot. Instead, Eastern forced a Ryan Wedel 3-pointer with six seconds to go. Wedel missed, Eastern’s Billy Parrish grabbed the rebound, passed it to point guard Mike Robinson, who made a 40-foot 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

However, Indians’ head coach Dickey Nutt has no regrets on the play, expect for the final outcome.

“We shot it with our best outside shooter with one second left in the shot clock,” Nutt said. “I’m not disappointed with who took the shot and we couldn’t have held it any longer. It’s just a kid made a 50-footer and now I’ve got a hurt locker room.”

Banks entered the game averaging 20 points per game, 50 percent shooting from the field and 53 percent from beyond the arc. The Memphis, Tenn., native finished with 15 points on seven of eight shooting, but did not attempt a 3-pointer. Banks made the only two shots he attempted in the first half.

“I think the first half is an example of Eastern Illinois reading their scouting report,” Banks said. “I’m not used to double teams and teams concentrating on me yet.”

Banks was coming off a 25-point effort in a 86-60 loss at No. 14 Memphis. The junior guard was averaging 26.5 points per game against the two Ohio Valley Conference opponents ASU had played this season (32 at Tennessee-Martin, 21 against Austin Peay).

“We weren’t aggressive as a team early and made an adjustment to get him more looks in the second half,” Nutt said.

Miller was concerned the entire game that at any moment Banks could carry Arkansas State to a victory.

“I’m not sure we’ll see a better guard,” Miller said. “Somebody that can make shots like that and he does it so efficiently. He’s very, very difficult to deal with.”

After a one-game suspension for violating an undisclosed team rule, junior forward Issac Wells struggled coming off the bench in his return.

“I thought he did a good job moving and getting back into the flow of the game,” Nutt said. “We’ll get him going again but I give him credit for setting up his teammates.”

The Indians’ leading rebounder (7.7 rebounds per game) and second leading scorer (14.3 ppg) had a season-low six points, while shooting three of 10 from the field and grabbing six rebounds in 30 minutes.

“He’s just a finisher. He shot fakes, drives past you and dunks,” Eastern guard Romain Martin said. “We knew all about the guys, especially Banks and Wells.”