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One-point loss to EIU follows defeat by Morehead


Henry Domercant hit a free throw with 29 seconds left in the game to give visiting Eastern Illinois an 85-84 victory over the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks.

The Skyhawks had a chance to score with three seconds left by senior Okechi Egbe's three pointer was short. Eastern grabbed the rebound and the Skyhawks immediately fouled Craig Lewis. Lewis missed the free throw and J.C. Howe grabbed the rebound for the Skyhawks. With two seconds showing on the clock, Howe's pass was picked off by Eastern Illinois and Domercant's free throw was the deciding margin of victory.

The Skyhawks fall to 6- 7 in the Ohio Valley Conference and 13-11 overall, while Eastern Illinois improves to 7-6 in the league and 12-13 overall. Eastern Illinois takes over sole possession of fifth-place in the OVC.

Eastern Illinois enjoyed a 51-42 advantage at halftime because it shot 59 percent from the field and 67 percent from three-point range. Domercant, ranked among the top three in scoring in the nation, netted 15 first-half points. He was five-of-seven from the field and three-for-three from the arch. He would finish the game with 24 points.

In the second half, the Skyhawks cut EIU's lead to one point three times. The game was tied at 70-70 with 7:52 to play, at 74-74 with 5:42 to go and at 76-all with 4:46 to play. The Skyhawks took the lead with 3:57 to play when senior Joey Walker made a pair of free throws.

Domercant answered with two free throws of his own with 3:46 to play. Twenty seconds later, J.C. Howe put the Skyhawks up, 80-78 with a layup. The game was tied three more times in the final 45 seconds.

Howe led the Skyhawks in scoring with 21 points, while Walker finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.Jeremy Kelly added 14 points, while Earl Bullock scored 13 points.

The Skyhawks out-rebounded EIU 33-32, but it was the first time this season in seven games the Skyhawks out-rebounded their opponent and lost. The Skyhawks managed to outscore EIU 20-6 off turnovers. Another big difference in the contest was at the free throw line where EIU hit 16-of-22 attempts. The Skyhawks went to the line just seven times, but they were perfect on seven attempts. Walker hit all six of his free throws, while Bullock hit his only free throw attempt.

The Skyhawks return to action Thursday, Feb. 20 when they travel to Morehead, Ky. to face Morehead State. The Skyhawks will play at Eastern Kentucky Saturday, Feb. 22 and close out the regular season March 1 at home against Murray State.

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Robert Muilenburg

Senior Joey Walker at Saturday’s game against EIU. Walker finished the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds.