* Turn Back Tuesday will be a new feature on the EIUpanthers.com website that will revisit some of the memorable moments in Eastern Illinois Panther athletic history. *

Feb. 26, 1966 – Eastern Illinois plays its final game in Old Lantz Gym (now McAfee Gym) as the Panthers fall to in-state rival Western Illinois 78-76. It was one of the games to remember as the building closed down to intercollegiate basketball after serving as the home to EIU hoops from 1938 until 1966.

Larry Miller turned in a performance that many Panther fans would surely remember as he ended his streak of 37 consecutive free throws in the game while finishing with 38 points. Miller finished the season with 512 points which ranked sixth on the EIU single season list at the time. He would go on to earn All-Interstate Conference honors. Just three nights earlier Miller had scored 46 points against Lewis College which still ranks as the third highest single game total in EIU history.

The Panthers were coached by Rex Darling in their final season in Old Lantz Gym with Ron Paap and William Geurin serving as assistant coaches. The EIU roster for the final game in Old Lantz Gym included: Larry Miller (F/Clinton), Denny Hoffmeister (C/Altamont), Dave Pavelonis (G/Harrisburg), Bob Williamson (F/Streator), Ron Masters (G/Cahokia), Don Templeman (F/Williamsville), Tom Moriarty (G/Kankakee), Roger Long (F/Lovington), Richard Barni (G/Herrin) and Bob Allred (F/Paris).