Over the holiday break, Eastern’s men’s basketball team had flashes of brilliance and moments of utter disappointment. The Panthers largest win came over Anderson University at Lantz Arena. They were in control the entire game and won easily 80-47. The win was their highest margin of victory all season.

Four Panthers scored in double-digits and Eastern out-rebounded Anderson 48-31. Junior guard Jeremy Granger led the Panthers with 18 points and, seven assists and three steals. One reason for Eastern’s success was that it was able to control the game from the inside out; scoring 40 points in the paint, compared to Anderson’s 18 points.

Close call in Kalamazoo

On New Year’s Eve, Eastern traveled to Kalamazoo, Mich. to take on Western Michigan in a non-conference match-up.

Both teams started slow, shooting under 37 percent in the first half; however, Western hit 10 of its first 12 shots in the second half to grab momentum and a 69-60 win.

The Panthers were led by senior guard Curry McKinney with 17 points, including four three-point shots. Red-shirt sophomore James Hollowell also had 13 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Other than McKinney, Eastern was not successful in shooting the three-point shot, shooting 29 percent for the game.

Second OVC win

Eastern was able to notch its second Ohio Valley Conference win at Jacksonville State on Dec. 21.

Sophomore forward Sean Pratl was able to ignite the Panther offense in the second half, scoring 16 points off the bench. Pratl propelled Eastern to a 61-54 win. McKinney led the team in scoring with 17 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes of play.

The Panthers shot the ball well, making 52 percent of their shots from the field, compared to Jacksonville State’s 37 percent.

Tough loss to Tennessee Tech

At one point in the game, Eastern trailed by 17 points; however, the team was able to rally back and take a 64-63 lead with one minute remaining.

The Panthers were unable to stop Zac Swansey, who hit the game winning shot with 4.5 seconds left to play.

The loss was the Panthers’ second OVC loss of the season. The Panthers were led by Granger and McKinney, who each scored fifteen points. Hollowell was the only other Panther to reach double-digits.

Eastern will now play six of its next eight OVC games at Lantz Arena as it enters the meat of the conference schedule.

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

James Hollowell, red-shirt sophomore forward, goes up against Anderson University Jan. 3 in Lantz Arena. (Audrey Sawyer/The Daily Eastern News)

(more…)