Eastern Illinois rallies past Tennessee State 64-57

Posted January 06, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Chris Olivier scored 14 points off the bench, hitting a pair of free throws late and then blocking a shot as Eastern Illinois rallied in the second half to defeat Tennessee State 64-57 on Wednesday night, rising to 3-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference for the first time.

The Panthers (9-6, 3-0) fashioned a 14-3 run late in the second half to claw back from a 12-point deficit to win its sixth-straight.

Reggie Smith hit a jumper and a 3-pointer to spark the run, Josh Piper added a 3-pointer to close to 47-44 after a pair of Olivier free throws. Luke Piotrowski knotted the score at 47 and Cornell Johnston drained a 3-pointer as the Panthers led 50-47.

Johnston scored 12 for Eastern Illinois, Piper 11 with 10 boards. Olivier had two of his three blocked shots in the last 2:14.

Darreon Reddick led the Tigers (3-14, 0-2) with 13 points.

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