James Hollowell and Shaun Pratl scored 14 points apiece as Eastern Illinois fended off Tennessee State 68-67 in an Ohio Valley Conference opener Thursday night.
Tyler Laser scored 13 points, including the 3-pointer that put the Panthers (3-4) ahead for good at 62-61 with 4:31 left. Jeremy Granger added 12 points, and Curry McKinney grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
Wil Peters led the Tigers (1-6) with a perfect shooting night: 7 of 7, including four 3-pointers, and 3 of 3 free throws for 21 points. Robert Covington scored 15 and Patrick Miller 11.
Tennessee State shot 50 percent (22 of 44) to Eastern Illinois' 45.7 (28 of 61).
Covington put Tennessee State ahead 61-59 with 5:03 left before Laser's 3-pointer and two free throws by Hollowell gave Eastern Illinois a permanent lead.
The Panthers broke a school record with their seventh consecutive league victory, dating back to last season.
