TavonKingEIU
70
North Alabama UNA 3-12
81
Winner Eastern Illinois EIU 7-6
North Alabama UNA
3-12
70
Final
81
Eastern Illinois EIU
7-6
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
North Alabama UNA 35 35 70
Eastern Illinois EIU 38 43 81

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History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

LIONS FALL AT EIU TO CLOSE OUT NON-CONFERENCE PLAY

CHARLESTON, Ill., – Eastern Illinois hit a three-point basket at the end of the first half to grab the lead and maintained the advantage over the final 20 minutes of play to secure an 81-70 home victory over the University of North Alabama men's basketball team on Sunday. The fifth straight loss gives UNA a 3-12 record heading into ASUN Conference play next week. The Lions will play at North Florida on Jan 5.
 
Against EIU, four UNA players reached double figures, but turnovers early in the second half proved costly for the Lions.
 
North Alabama led by as many as five in the first half. An early three-pointer by Jamari Blackmon gave UNA an 18-13 lead midway through the opening period. The Lions took a 35-33 lead into the final minute of the half before a basket by EIU tied the game. After the Panthers got a defensive stop, Shareef Smith connected on a three-point shot with less than three seconds remaining to give the home team a 38-35 lead at the break.
 
UNA missed its first three shots from the floor and had four turnovers in its first seven possessions of the second half as the Panthers built a 43-35 lead. A pair of baskets by Christian Agnew ended the scoring drought and cut the deficit to 43-39, but EIU responded with seven straight points to push the lead to double digits.
 
The Lions would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way. Eastern Illinois hit 7-of-8 free throws of the final two minutes to preserve the victory.
 
For the game, North Alabama finished with 14 turnovers, which EIU converted into 19 points. The two teams each pulled down 36 rebounds with UNA holding a 14-5 advantage in second-chance points.
 
Blackmon led UNA with 19 points. Fellow freshman Agnew added 16 points for the Lions. Kendall Stafford also scored 11 points while freshman Emanuel Littles just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
 
Tip-off against UNF is set for 4 p.m. (Central) Saturday on the Osprey's home floor in Jacksonville, Fla.
 

 
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Players Mentioned

Kendall Stafford

#24 Kendall Stafford

G/F
6' 4"
Senior
Christian Agnew

#2 Christian Agnew

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Jamari Blackmon

#3 Jamari Blackmon

G
6' 0"
Freshman
Emanuel Littles

#21 Emanuel Littles

F
6' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kendall Stafford

#24 Kendall Stafford

6' 4"
Senior
G/F
Christian Agnew

#2 Christian Agnew

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Jamari Blackmon

#3 Jamari Blackmon

6' 0"
Freshman
G
Emanuel Littles

#21 Emanuel Littles

6' 8"
Freshman
F