EIU Drops Women's Contest, SIUE Men Fall

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Published on January 26 2018 6:42 am
Last Updated on January 26 2018 6:42 am

Eastern Illinois University trailed Belmont by two points with a minute left in the third quarter as the Bruins opened an 18-0 run into the final quarter of play in women's basketball action Thursday. The Bruins held the Panthers to six fourth quarter points defeating them 59-37.

EIU falls to  2-18 overall, 1-8 OVC while Belmont improves to 19-3 overall, 9-0 OVC.

The game saw nine lead changes as the teams traded baskets in the first three quarters of play. EIU held Belmont from beyond the arc in the first half as the Bruins were only 3-of-20 from three point range. Darby Maggard connected from the arc with a minute left in the third quarter to spark Belmont's 18-0 run.

Carmen Tellez scored a team-high eight points for the Panthers. Karle Pace added seven points and four rebounds. Jennifer Nehls recorded a team high eight rebounds while Danielle Berry tallied six boards and four assists.

Ellie Harmeyer finished with a double-double for the Bruins with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Maggard recorded a game-leading 17 points while Sally McCabe added 10 points, six rebounds, and five blocks.

The Panthers will return to action Saturday Jan. 27 at Tennessee State. Tip-off is set for 5:30 pm.


Men -- Tennessee State 85, SIUE 57

SIUE got off to a slow start and never recovered Thursday, falling to Tennessee State 85-57 at the Gentry Center.

The Cougars missed their first four shots, and hits just one of their first nine attempts from the field. SIUE missed all eight attempts from three-point range in the first half.

Tennessee State drained 17 of 29 (58.6 percent) of its shots in the half and led 42-19 at the break.

"We weren't there mentally, right out of the gates," SIUE Head Coach Jon Harris said. "I have to find a way to better prepare this team to start games."

The 23-point deficit was the largest the Cougars have faced at halftime this year. The 19 points are the fewest in a half for the Cougars in exactly a year. Tennessee State held the Cougars to 18 first-half points last season in Edwardsville.

SIUE turned the ball over 13 times in the first half leading to 17 points for TSU.

"The intensity was not there," Harris continued. "I am going to take the heat for that and I have to find a way to make some adjustments in our preparation."

The Cougars rebounded in the second half to scored 38 points on 11-of-23 shooting, including three 3-pointers.

Harris admitted Tennessee State made changes since a January 13 game in Edwardsville saw the Cougars win 82-79.

"At our place they were flying around and trapping," he said. "We won that game because they were trapping and we made plays. Tonight they, maybe, trapped us once or twice and that was it and we still turned the ball over 22 times. We have to find a way to do a better job on the offensive end."

Christian Ellis scored 11 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to lead SIUE. Jalen Henry and David McFarland each added 11 points as well.

Christian Mekowulu scored a game-high 25 points to pace the Tigers. He also hauled in nine rebounds. Ken' Darrius Hamilton scored 15 points and Delano Spencer scored 14 points for TSU.

The Tigers outrebounded SIUE 33-28 for the game.

"As frustrating as tonight is, those guys in that locker room care and they're down; they're disappointed," Harris added. "They understand that we weren't prepared to play this game."

SIUE continues its road trip with a 5 p.m. game Saturday at league-leading Belmont.

"You put this one behind you as quickly as you can and you move on to the next task at hand which is Belmont at their place," Harris said. "It's an opportunity for us to grow."