HTML Box | PDF Box
CHICAGO – Chicago native Jeremy Granger scored a career-high 24 points and Eastern Illinois improved to 3-1 to start a season for the first time since the 1998-99 season as the Panthers picked up a 82-68 win at Chicago State.
Eastern Illinois shot 65 percent in the opening half with guards Tyler Laser and Jeremy Granger combining for 25 points as the Panthers built a 47-28 halftime lead over Chicago State. Laser was 6-of-7 in the first half with 15 points while Granger added 10.
After Kabangu Tshing Kasamba tied the game at 6-6 with a jumper in the lane, EIU went on a 13-0 run that put the Panthers up 19-6 with 12:16 left in the half as Granger and Laser drained back-to-back 3-pointers.
Brandan Smith pulled CSU to with 27-20 with 6:17 to go in the half as he hit a 3-pointer. Smith led the Cougars with seven first half points. EIU would close the half with 20-8 run as they outscored CSU 12-0 in fast break points.
The Panthers led 47-28 at the break and looked poised to pull away for a blow out win as they extended the lead to 51-31 on a jumper by Granger just over a minute into the second half.
Chicago State was able to climb back into the game at the free throw line as they reached the 1-and-1 bonus with 15:53 left in the game and the double bonus at the 13:15 mark. CSU closed to 60-50 at the 13:15 mark as Tyler Laser was called for a foul on a loose ball and then a technical foul which gave the Cougars four free throw shots.
Carl Montgomery pulled the Cougars to within seven points with a jumper at the 10:20 mark. Montgomery led CSU with 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Panthers answered with freshman Shaun Pratl who scored back-to-back buckets in the paint as he finished with 12 points to hit double figures for the third straight game.
Following a pair of free throws by #T.J. Marion# at the 5:34 mark, CSU never got within single digits the remainder of the game. EIU shot 54 percent for the game while limiting Chicago State (3-2) to just 33 percent from the field. The Cougars were 27-of-37 from the free throw line.
EIU also received 17 points from Laser as they were successful on 21-of-26 free throws. The Panthers return to action on Saturday evening when they host Belmont at 6 p.m. at Lantz Arena.
