CHARLESTON, Ill. - Austin Peay men's basketball team watched things fall apart in the second half of an 83-73 loss to Eastern Illinois, Thursday night, in Ohio Valley Conference action.

The loss puts the Govs (16-14, 10-7 OVC) in a must-win situation heading into their final regular-season OVC game at Southeast Missouri, needing a win to ensure an OVC Tournament first-round home game--if APSU wins Saturday, it will host an OVC first-round game, regardless of what else transpires during the night.

It could end up with the Governors playing host to Eastern Illinois--Thursday's verdict was the sixth-straight win for the Panthers and their first against APSU in 11 tries.

The Govs led 36-35 at the half, but allowed Eastern Illinois (17-11; 10-7 OVC) to open the second half with a 7-0 run to take control in the final stanza. The Panthers shot 53 percent from the floor in the second half, outscoring the Govs 48-27. It was the second straight game the Governors defense fell apart in the final half. Oral Roberts shot 65.5 percent from the floor en route to scoring 58 second-half points against the Govs, Saturday. 

For the game, EIU outrebounded the Govs 38-30 and scored 18 second-chance points. The Panthers outscored the Govs by 20 points in the paint.

The Governors controlled much of the first half, leading by as much as seven points before allowing the Panthers to gain momentum right before halftime. EIU carried that momentum into the second.

Wesley Channels led the Govs with 23 points, while Anthony Campbell scored 13 and Tyrone Caldwell, 10. Guards Jeremy Granger and Tyler Laser each had 21 points for the Panthers.


-AP-