The Eastern men’s basketball team lost its third Ohio Valley Conference game of the season and was the second time the Panthers lost a double-digit lead in the second half.

The Panthers held a 17-point lead, but were unable to hold on, losing to Southeast Missouri State 78-75.

The Panthers spread the ball around well, as 12 different players scored, three of which reached double-digits.

Junior guard Jeremy Granger led the Panthers with 17 points. Granger said that in order for the Panthers to win, they needed to play as a team towards the end of the game.

Eastern head coach Mike Miller said the team needs to perform better down the stretch if they are going to win close games.

“We need to do a better job,” Miller said.

Road struggles continue

The Panthers are 2-6 on the road this season, with SEMO being their most recent loss. Last season they posted a record of 7-7 on the road.

Eastern’s only road wins have come against in-state rival Bradley and OVC rival Jacksonville State.

The Panthers have lost by an average of 13.5 points in the six road losses. Highlighting the losses was a 31 point loss to Ball State on Nov. 14.

Laser still out

Senior guard Tyler Laser is one of the team’s captains and leading scorers. Laser has sat out the last five games with an injury.

During his absence, the Panthers have gone 2-3, when he is active they have a record of 4-6.

Laser led the team in scoring last season at 13.9 points per game. He also shot 40 percent from the three-point line and 84 percent from the free throw line.

This season Laser’s numbers are down to 11.4 points per game because he has struggled shooting early this season, only making 30 percent of his three-point attempts.

Around the OVC

Morehead State’s senior forward Kenneth Faried was named to the Midseason Top 30 list for the John Wooden Award.

Faried leads the nation in rebounding with 13.8 per game and double-doubles with 13 in 17 games.

Austin Peay went on the road and beat defending OVC champion Murray State 66-64. The win improves the Governors record to 5-0 in conference, giving them sole possession of first place.

Tennessee Tech beat Eastern Kentucky in Richmond, Ken. 78-66. One key to Tech’s success was making the three-point shot. Tech made seven three-pointers, while shooting 64 percent from the field.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu.

Jeremy Granger, a junior guard, takes the ball up court against Anderson University Jan. 3 in Lantz Arena. (Audrey Sawyer

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