The Eastern men’s basketball team shot 9-of-23 in the second half against Missouri State and had a scoring drought of more than eight minutes, as the Panthers lost their regular season opener 64-53 Friday night at the at JQH Arena, Springfield, Mo.

Junior forward Chris Olivier led Eastern’s offense with 16 points, shooting 8-of-13 from the field. Unfortunately, for Eastern coach Jay Spoonhour, Olivier was the Panthers’ only player to score in double-digits. Eastern had four other players that scored six points apiece.

Starting the second half with a 29-27 lead, the Panthers extended their lead with 11:39 left to play, as Trae Anderson made a layup off an assist by Dylan Chatman that made it 49-40. The Panthers did not make a field goal until there was 48 seconds left, when Anderson made a layup, but by then it was too late, as Missouri had taken control, using a 10-0 run and went up 62-53 with less than a minute.

Marcus Marshall scored 20 of his 38 points in the second half, leading the Missouri State comeback. Marshall was 12-of-16 from the field, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range. He made all of his eight free throws and hauled in three rebounds, as he played 38 minutes.

The Panthers were 6-of-17 from 3-point range and made all of their free throw attempts, but only got to the line five times. Missouri State shot 72 percent from the free throw line, making 18-of-25, including 12-of-16 in the second half. Eastern was only 2-of-2 from the free throw line in the second half.

Eastern began the game on a 14-5 run, fueled by six points from Olivier in the first seven minutes. The Panthers scored consistently in the inside, scoring 26 points in the paint.

Reggie Smith, who led Eastern in its exhibition win against Saint Francis (Ill.) on Nov. 10, struggled shooting. Smith was 1-of-8 from the field and 0-of-4 from the 3-point range. Smith had six points and was one of two Panthers to shoot free throws. He was 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

The Panthers’ defense was strong in the first half, when Missouri State shot 26 percent from the floor, with 3:49 left before halftime. But from that point on Missouri State went on a 12-5 run to get the score to 29-27 at the half.

Missouri State carried the momentum into the second half, when it shot 11-of-20 from the field.

Eastern has lost five straight season openers.

The Panthers host Eureka College at 7 p.m. Monday at Lantz Arena.

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or asoto2@eiu.edu.