CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS---With the Murray State Racers no longer the Ohio Valley Conference power the nation has become accustomed to, the OVC East Division, featuring the likes of Belmont, Tennessee State, and Tennessee Tech, is now the dominant group in the conference. 

Don't believe it? 

The top four teams from the East all entered with better records than the current leader in the OVC West UT-Martin! So, when the Eastern Illinois Panthers welcomed their last East opponent Saturday afternoon, the Morehead State Eagles, a tough contest was sure to be the case inside Lantz Arena. Nevertheless, and unlike past contests against the top of the East, Eastern Illinois was able to rally from eight down in the final two minutes to force overtime and leave victorious by the score of 84-82.

Although the Eagles flew ahead to a 9-4 early edge, the Panthers came running back with a 6-0 prowl capped off with an A.J. Riley triple to supply his team with a 10-9 lead. While Eastern Illinois would extend it to three on a Casey Teson twine tickler from beyond the arc, Morehead State took back what was theirs with seven of Xavier Moon's first half high seventeen points (20-18 MORE). 

Later in the first half, a 10-2 spurt, carried by all of Malik Maitland's seven points, further widened the gap to 9 before Corban Collins' posted five straight to extend the margin to 11 (43-32 MORE). However, the advantage would not stay at double-figures as another Panthers' trey, this time by Luke Norman, ended the half while pulling EIU within eight.

Despite the small momentum shift in favor of the home team, the Eagles continued to have success on offense by getting almost any shot they wanted coming out of the intermission. Moreover, Collins continued to find the bottom of the net, for he single-handedly sustained his squad's lead at 13 with 18 minutes remaining in regulation.

The home faithful was absolutely silent. Full momentum was with Morehead State and it looked like no slow down in production was going to transpire. But, it did.

Thanks to a long two minute and a half shooting lull and 5 of Little T's, aka Cornell Johnston, 15 points, the Panthers went on a 10-0 prowl to pull within a single possession (53-50). We had ourselves a ballgame! 

Or we didn't.

Following five minutes of trading baskets and staying on the cusp of taking the lead, Eastern Illinois fell victim to an 11-4 Eagles' flight that caused the blue and white to be down 11. With how much time you ask? 5 minutes and 11 seconds. 

Three minutes later, four consecutive makes from the charity stripe, two from each A.J. Riley and Demetrius McReynolds, made the Panthers trail eight with two minutes remaining. Hopes of an Eastern Illinois' victory was beginning to look bleak.

But then out of no where, Teson and Riley nailed back-to-back three pointers with no answer from Morehead State. 72-69 Eagles! 

After one free throw made by both, Jay Spoonhour's bunch found themselves with a chance to force overtime with 13 seconds remaining.

Rushing the ball up court, Cornell Johnston crossed mid-court and drove past the right elbow. Though, instead of continuing his attack and attempting a quick two, he fired a pass to freshman Casey Teson, who caught the ball and fired a game-tying attempt from the corner. Nothing but nylon! The game was all tied up! But there was still time left.

Succeeding a 30-second timeout from Morehead State head coach Sean Woods, Maitland sprinted the ball up court and fired a layup. Swat! Eastern Illinois' Demetrius McReynolds had blocked it! However, there was still .4 seconds remaining in regulation. Swat! The Panthers had blocked the inbounds pass! We were heading to overtime!

In the extra five minutes, Eastern Illinois' Riley continued his domination as he drove the lane, was fouled, and got the layup to fall. 

After the made free throw to up the EIU lead to three, the Eagles' Collins put his team on his back by netting three more of his game-high 28 points before Brent Arrington gave his team the lead while capping off a 5-0 jolt with 1 minute and 37 seconds on the clock in the first overtime.

Yet no need to fret Panthers' fans, as Riley, quickly looking for points, drew a foul while in the act of shooting. Clank! The chance to tie had fell off the table. Swish! 78-77 Morehead State.

Following an empty possession by the Eagles, Eastern Illinois was given another chance to do damage. And this time, they fully capitalized for Cornell Johnston nailed his third and biggest triple of game. Eastern Illinois had the lead! 

Now scrambling to knot the game at 80, the Eagles had 41 seconds to make a move. Though, they couldn't get Collins the ball! Eastern Illinois had locked down on defense and forced the shot clock down to single digits with the ball in the hands of Morehead State's Arrington. Off the mark! But the road team's Anthony Elechi grabbed the offensive rebound right under the basket. Elechi elevated and let go of what would be a layup. He missed it! He missed it! The 5'7" Johnston pounced on the rebound and passed it to the best free throw shooter on the team, Demetrius McReynolds. The junior walked to the other end with an opportunity to keep the opponent out of reach. Opportunity capitalized! 

Down four now, Collins drove and knocked down a swift pull up jumper with 12 seconds remaining. But again, the Eagles fouled the wrong guy, for McReynolds sank another pair, which this time iced the game. 

ALLLVVVIIIIINNN!!!

A JUCO transfer from John A. Logan College, A.J. Riley, who is called Alvin by head coach Jay Spoonhour, could not have started his Division I career any better this season as he supplied 20 plus points in two of his first four games. But, while the season grew older, the junior found his points per game average dropping as he failed to reach double-figures in five of his next ten, including being held scoreless at Tennessee Tech. Nonetheless, Riley seems to have finally re-found his groove considering he had 20 against Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Favorite Belmont and 22 this afternoon against Morehead State.

Following the game. the 6'4" Peoria, Illinois, native stayed very humble about her performance and the win by saying he felt, "Blessed. Got to thank God first. We had it tough. Coach Spoon has been on us pretty tough. (We) Went back to the gym and worked hard."

6-12 (3-3) Eastern Illinois will try to extend their winning streak to three in a crucial matchup at Murray State next Thursday.

Collins-ing the Shots

Entering as the only player averaging double-figures for Morehead State, Corban Collins definitely played like the "jazzy junior" his team was looking for him to be. Complementing fellow third year backcourt mate Xavier Moss' huge first half with 12 points of his own, the 6'3" guard took over after halftime with 16 points on five-of-eight shooting, three-of-five from long-range. Additionally, he was able to keep his team competitive following the exit of Moss about half way through the second twenty minutes. Collins and the 9-8 (3-2) Morehead State Eagles will head back home to host Tennessee Tech, kicking off a three-game home stretch.

He Said It (Part I)

"We (are) at home. And we have great fans. To get a packed house again after starting--what were we? 3-10--and get fans that come and support you, you got to find something in your heart for them. I want to give appreciation to the fans that came out." said Eastern Illinois' A.J. Riley.  "The fans, they (are) still cheering you on. That means a lot. They were definitely the six man tonight."

He Said It (Part II)

"When you're down eight, your chances aren't very good with two minutes to go. And to win one that you don't typically win is a good thing for us mentally."
---Eastern Illinois' head coach Jay Spoonhour

He Said It (Part III)

"Now let's go to our side of the conference and maybe we can make something happen with the grace of God."
---A.J. Riley