Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

Final Score: Northern Ill 70 - Eastern Ill 73

Charleston, IL (Sports Network) - Curry McKinney converted four free-throws in the final 36 seconds of regulation time as the Eastern Illinois Panthers defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies, 73-70, in a BracketBusters showdown at the Lantz Arena.

Tyler Laser scored 19 points for Eastern Illinois (16-11), while T.J. Marion netted 13. McKinney and Zavier Sanders both provided 11 points off the bench, while Cisse Ousmane grabbed 14 rebounds in the victory.

Sean Kowal led the way for Northern Illinois (8-18) by scoring 20 points in the loss. Xavier Silas netted 19 points on the night, while Mike Dinunno added 11.

The Huskies held a slim 35-34 advantage at the intermission despite connecting on just four of their 17 attempts from three-point territory in the opening half.

The Panthers sank 50.0 percent of their shots from the floor in the second stanza and nailed 11-of-12 free throws over the final 20 minutes to steal a win.

Eastern Illinois was dominant on the boards, outrebounding the Huskies 42-30 on the night.