Wallace, Mack help E. Illinois beat Tennessee Tech 67-60

Published

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Josiah Wallace had 13 of his 15 points in the second half and Mack Smith scored 14, hitting 5 of 6 from the free-throw line in the final 25 seconds, to help Eastern Illinois overcome a 12-point deficit and beat Tennessee Tech 67-60 on Saturday night.

Ben Harvey added 12 points for Eastern Illinois.

Cam Burrell took a steal coast-to-coast for a dunk, Harvey made a layup and Burrell, after another steal, grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a 3-point play to make it 44-38 with 11:25 to play and the Panthers (10-7, 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference) led the rest of the way. Courtney Alexander's dunk about six minutes left pulled the Golden Eagles within three but they would get no closer.

Hunter Vick led Tennessee Tech (6-11, 2-2) with 20 points and Corey Tillery added 13, including four 3-pointers.

The Golden Eagles shot 47 percent compared to just 38 percent by Eastern Illinois. The Panthers were plus-six (14-8) from the free-throw line, plus-11 in points off turnovers and used a 16-2 advantage in offensive rebounds to outscore TTU 15-4 in second-chance points.