SIUE Runs Away From EIU, 66-52

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Published on February 22 2022 5:58 am
Last Updated on February 22 2022 5:59 am

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE built a big lead and ran away from Eastern Illinois Thursday. The Cougars defeated the Panthers 66-52 to sweep the season series for the first time.

The Cougars improved to 10-19 overall; winning 10 games for the first time since the 2018-19 season. SIUE is now 4-12 in the Ohio Valley Conference, to move into a tie for eighth place and the final spot in next week's OVC Tournament.

"I was just proud of how our guys came out defensively to set the tone," SIUE Head Coach Brian Barone said. "We did a really good job with having good hands, active ball pressure, and rotating when we needed to rotate. I thought we did a really good job of sticking to a game plan. You could sense that we had a team defensive mentality, and then we opened it up."

The Cougars used a 7-0 run after Eastern Illinois scored the first basket of the game, and SIUE never looked back. Another run of 8-0 put SIUE up 33-13 with two minutes to play before halftime.

The Cougars led 33-16 at the break.

SIUE pushed its lead to as many as 29 in the second half, before resting many of the regulars.

Shamar Wright led the Cougars with 13 points, his fifth consecutive game of double figures scoring.

"I've been in the gym and been getting good shots up," Wright said. "My teammates really found me tonight, so I feel like I was in good situation."

Courtney Carter scored 11 points, picked up three assists and two steals and did not turn the ball over. Shuan Doss, Jr. scored nine points. DeeJuan Pruitt scored eight and added 10 rebounds. Lamar Wright scored eight points. Cam Williams added seven points. Jonathan Kurtas pulled down a career-best seven rebounds.

"Everyone stepped in and did what they were capable of doing," Barone said. "Jon Kurtas came in and I think he had a career high seven rebounds - and that young man is going to continue to get better and better. He goes in there and impacts the game in his 14, 15 minutes. DeeJuan Pruitt almost had a double-double. We're a very giving team right now, so I was excited about how we performed."

The Cougars shot 41 percent from the field and knocked down 10 three-point shots, the second consecutive game SIUE has hit at least 10 three-pointers. SIUE outrebounded EIU 40-23.

Eastern Illinois' Dan Luers scored a game-high 21 points and knocked down three three-pointers. CJ Lane pitched in 12 points for the Panthers.

SIUE finishes the regular season with a pair of home games beginning Thursday night with Austin Peay.