Over the final 7:46 Western held EIU without a field goal (0-for-7), and only six free throws. Curry McKinney's basket - the last field goal by EIU - put the Panthers ahead 55-44. From there the Leatherneck defense put the clamps on Eastern.

Tommie Tyler and Kaimarr Price continued their scoring streak to pace the Leathernecks. The juniors combined for 16 straight points over an 11 minute stretch. Eastern missed two lay-ups with 42 seconds left before Jelani Johnson stole a pass from Tyler Laser. Jack Houpt squared up for a 3-pointer but was fouled in the act of shooting. The sophomore made all three shots to make it 58-55.

Jeremy Granger hit two free throws but Matt Lander responded with a deep 3-pointer cutting the deficit to 60-58. James Hollowell made the first free throw but missed the second, keeping it a one possession game.

Lander tried a 3-pointer from the top of the key but missed. During the loose ball tie-up, Western regained possession. Off the inbounds Price tried a 3-pointer, but his shot hit off the rim at the buzzer.

Head coach Jim Molinari liked his team's defensive effort down the stretch but noted the missed free throws as the Leathernecks finished 11-of-24 at the line overall.

"We could not overcome our free throw difficulties, and give Eastern credit. They played hard, we played well," said head coach Jim Molinari. "I'm proud of our guys, they never gave up."

Price scored the first two baskets of the game, but from there Eastern (4-6) went on a 10-0 run. Johnson made consecutive steals and breakaway dunks, cutting the deficit to four. During that time Western held the Panthers scoreless for nearly five minutes.

The Panthers held a 17-14 lead, but then the Leathernecks started dialing in from long distance. Lander hit consecutive 3s, then Houpt followed with one of his own for a 23-20 lead. EIU used an 8-0 run to take the lead again, and held it for the rest of the half.

Johnson's 3-pointer ended that streak with 2:35 remaining, but more points in the paint put the Panthers ahead 34-29 at the half.

Western was just 1-of-6 at the free throw line, but 4-of-8 from long distance during the first half. On the flip side, Eastern was 8-of-8 at the line but missed both shots from beyond the arc. Western also was out-rebounded 22-9 in the first half, but forced eight turnovers to just three committed.

Tyler hit the front end of two free throws to start the half, but from there Eastern used a 14-3 run to take its largest lead of the game, 48-33 with 13:35 remaining.

Price found Emeka Okafor, Jr. on an inside lay-up, Western first field goal of the second half but nearly five minutes in. Eastern made only five field goals during the second half of its home loss this week against Ball State. The Panthers matched that number in the first five minutes and led by double-digits for 11 minutes before Western started its final run.

Price led the Leathernecks with 14 points (one off his season-high) and six rebounds. Lander kept his streak of scoring in double-digits every game in tact, netting 13 points. Tyler added a season-high 12 points to go with his six rebounds.

For the second straight game Western committed fewer than 10 turnovers, finishing with seven while forcing 13 EIU miscues. The Leathernecks shot 39.6 percent from the field while Eastern shot 44.7 percent, but was 0-for-5 from beyond the arc.

Granger scored a game-high 15 points for Eastern while Hollowell added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Western will take the week off for finals, then returns to action on Monday, December 20th at Creighton. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.