Eastern’s men’s basketball team was tied 49-49 with Murray State with seven minutes remaining until the defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Racers went on a 15-0 run.

With seven minutes remaining, Murray started getting every loose ball, every rebound and making nearly every shot it took.

While the Panthers went ice cold from the field and were unable to handle the added pressure, turning the ball over multiple times.

Eastern head coach Mike Miller said numerous things went wrong which allowed Murray to make its big run.

“We had some turnovers, some missed shots, an intentional foul, we had a number of things (happen) that you can’t do,” Miller said.

The Panthers were able to get two garbage time baskets while Murray added two more free throws.

The game ended 66-53, extending Murray’s winning-streak to six games and also extending Eastern’s losing-streak to five games.

Despite the loss, junior forward Zavier Sanders had a career night. It was the first start of his career and he scored a career-high 18 points and tied a career-high with seven rebounds.

Sanders also had a thunderous slam dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. He received a pass from the elbow, took one dribble and hammered the ball through the hoop while getting fouled.

“(The dunk) felt pretty good, you always imagine doing one of those, but its bitter sweet that we lost the game,” Sanders said.

The Panthers shot the ball well, finishing the game shooting 56 percent from the field; however, they committed 20 turnovers.

Junior guard Jeremy Granger had 16 points, but he committed a team-high five turnovers. He said turnovers were what really hurt the team.

“Down the stretch we turned the ball over too many times,” Granger said. “Part of that is on me; I had too many turnovers tonight.”

Murray was led offensively by guard B.J. Jenkins with 21 points.

Jenkins also went 5-9 shooting from beyond the arch. The Racers as a whole made 12 three-point shots finishing the game 12-26.

Miller said turnovers and Murray’s hot shooting was the difference in the game.

“(Our game plan) was to make it more of a perimeter game, but (Murray) cashed them in tonight, they had a couple guys who step up and make shots,” Miller said.

The Panthers return to action on Thursday at Morehead State. The Panthers beat the Eagles 47-40 earlier this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

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

Shaun Pratl, sophomore forward, goes up to the basket during the game again Murray State on Monday evening in Lantz Arena. Eastern lost to Murray State, 66-53. (Karolina Strack

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