NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Tyler Laser scored 14 points to lead Eastern Illinois to a 63-60 win over Belmont on Saturday night.
Jeremy Granger added 13 points for the Panthers (6-4), who lost to Belmont 95-62 on Nov. 28. Ousmane Cisse chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Trailing 34-26 early in the second half, Eastern Illinois went on an 8-0 run, and a layup from Granger tied the score at 34 with 13:45 remaining.
The game remained close for much of the second half, but a late 9-2 run by the Panthers gave them a 59-53 lead with 1 minute left.
The Bruins fought back, and had the ball with 3 seconds left and a chance to tie. But Keaton Belcher turned the ball over, and Belmont never got off a final shot.
The Bruins (7-4) were paced by Ian Clark, who scored 13 points. Jordan Campbell scored 12 and Mick Hedgepeth chipped in with 10.
