Jeremy Granger scored 24 points and L.C. Doss 14 to lead Eastern Illinois to a 73-66 victory against SIU-Edwardsville on Wednesday night.
James Hollowell added 12 points and Alonzo McKinnie 10 points and nine rebounds for the Panthers (12-14, 5-9 Ohio Valley).
Jerome Jones scored 20 points and Mark Yelovich added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Cougars (7-16, 5-9).
In a game that featured five ties and seven lead changes, SIU-Edwardsville trailed 65-64 with two minutes to play. But fouls sent Granger to the line twice, and his four free throws gave Eastern Illinois a 69-64 cushion with 50 seconds remaining.
Derian Shaffer had a late basket for the Cougars, but they were forced to foul, and the Panthers protected the lead at the line.
Kris Davis had 11 points for SIU-Edwardsville.
