CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — Sherman Blanford made two free throws with 6 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, then hit the go-ahead basket in overtime to help Eastern Illinois defeat Southeast Missouri 78-72 Saturday night.
Blanford finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Panthers (6-16, 3-6 Ohio Valley). His basket gave Eastern the lead at 68-67 with 1:05 left, and the Panthers made 10 free throws in the final minute of the extra period to wrap up the win.
Josh Piper had 13 points and nine rebounds for EIU. Morris Woods and Austin Akers scored 12 apiece and Malcolm Herrin had 11 points and eight rebounds. Eastern owned a 50-34 edge on the boards.
Southeast Missouri (11-12, 3-6) was led by Corey Wilford with 20 points. Marland Smith scored 14 points, Tyler Stone had 13 points and 12 rebounds and A.J. Jones also had 13 points.
