GREENVILLE, Ill. - The men's basketball team captured a 139-126 win over Eureka on Wednesday night in their first home game of the season and the SLIAC opener for both teams.
Eric Williams paced Greenville with 25 points and eight rebounds as he led a group of three Panthers who surpassed the 20 point mark. Isiah Price added 21 points and Marvin Bateman dropped 20 points on the scoreboard. Johari Dix managed to produce 18 points and six assists.
The Panthers held a 74-66 lead at halftime and saw their lead swell to as many as 13 early in the second half. However, Eureka wouldn't lay down and made it a two point game at 122-120 with just under three and a half minutes to play.
Greenville scored the next five points to give them a 127-120 advantage, capped by a three pointer by Rakim Murphy. Murphy delivered the knockout punch with a three-pointer to make the score 130-122, and GU added nine of the game's final 14 points for the win.
Greenville made 49-of-123 shots in the game and forced 33 turnovers. Josias Parker led Greenville with five steals.
The Panthers (3-4, 1-0 SLIAC) travel to Principia for a game on Saturday at 3 p.m.