MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — Benzor Simmons made a 3-pointer with 27 seconds on the clock to lift Tennessee-Martin over Eastern Illinois 63-62 on Saturday night.
The Skyhawks (7-14, 3-7 Ohio Valley Conference) trailed 56-49 with 7:35 left to play, but scored eight straight points — sparked by a three-point play from Simmons — to take a 57-56 lead with 4:09 to go.
Jeremy Granger made a layup with 41 seconds left to put the Panthers (8-11, 4-5) back in front 62-60. Granger missed two jumpers after Simmons’ go-ahead 3 in the final 13 seconds to seal the win for Tennessee-Martin.
Shaun Pratl scored 17 points, James Hollowell added 12, Granger finished with 11 and Curry McKinney added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Eastern Illinois.
Simmons finished with 21 points, Mike Liabo added 15 and Terence Smith 12 for the Skyhawks, who shot 51.9 percent from the floor (14 of 27) in the second half.
