TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -Jeremy Granger scored 21 points and Eastern Illinois defeated Toledo 72-62 in the season opener for both teams on Saturday night.
Granger was 5-for-9 from the field, including 3 of 4 from behind the 3-point arc, and made 8-of-10 free throws on his way to a career-high scoring night. The Panthers shot 49 percent from the field (25 of 51), including going 4-for-10 from 3-point range (40 percent).
Eastern Illinois trailed 22-17 with 7:13 left in the first half before going on a 14-3 run for a 31-25 halftime lead.
The Panthers led by as many as 52-39 on a dunk by Shaun Pratl with 9:09 remaining in the game.
Edin Suljic and T.J. Marion also scored in double figures for Eastern Illinois with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The Rockets were led by Stephen Albrecht with 15 points and Justin Anyijong with 11.
