Gerald McLemore scored 21 points and Maine pulled away from Eastern Illinois in the final two minutes to win 64-60 on Wednesday night.
Trailing 58-56 with 1:56 to play, the Black Bears went on a 5-0 run to take the lead for good, with Justin Edwards hitting the go-ahead basket with 55 seconds remaining. Maine made 4 of 6 free throws the rest of the way to secure the win and split the season series.
Alasdair Fraser had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Edwards added 14 points for the Black Bears (5-4). Maine shot only 52 percent from the foul line (13 of 25), but made five more than Eastern Illinois attempted.
Eastern Illinois led 29-23 at halftime and by nine in the second half before Maine rallied.
Alfonzo McKinnie scored 20 points and Jeremy Granger had 15 for the Panthers (6-5), who lost their third straight game.
