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 YPSILANTI, Mich. – Sophomore Josh Piper scored a career-high 28 points to lead the Panther men's basketball team to a 63-50 win over Texas Pan American at the EMU Ice Man Classic. The win marks the first victory for first-year head coach Jay Spoonhour at the helm of the program.
 
Trailing 14-13 at the 11:41 mark in the first half, the Panthers scored nine unanswered points following a media timeout to take their largest lead of the half 22-14. Defensively, EIU held the Broncos to only three baskets through the game's first 13 minutes. However, UTPA would heat up from the floor to end the half going 6-for-9 from the field to cut its deficit to one (30-29) heading into halftime.
 
The Panthers started the second half going 7-for-10 from the floor to build a 48-36 lead with 12:36 left on the clock. EIU never trailed for the duration of the game and only saw the Broncos get within nine (59-50) with 1:16 left in the contest. EIU ended the game on a 4-0 run to seal the victory.
 
EIU outrebounded UTPA 32-31 led by Piper and Morris Woods who both had seven rebounds. Woods and Malcolm Herron both added seven points in the win.
 
The Panthers connected on 50 percent of their shots (24-for-48) with Piper going 10-for-16. The Champaign, Ill., native also went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe, extending his consecutive made free throws streak to 26 dating back to last season.
 
EIU forced 19 Broncos turnovers, converting them into 24 points. The Panthers also scored 34 points in the paint.
 
UTPA was held to a 36.4 field goal percentage, going 16-for-44 from the floor. EIU's defense held the Broncos to a 29.2 percent clip in the second half (7-for-24). Brandon Provost led UTPA with 12 points.
 
The Panthers conclude EMU Ice Man Classic action on Sunday, Nov. 18 against IPFW at 3:30 p.m. CT.