EDWARDSVILLE, Ill- A pair of double-doubles by Myles Thompson and Ring Malith led the way as the Cougars dominated Eastern Illinois 66-41 Tuesday at First Community Arena.
The Cougars moved into sole possession of 2nd place in the Ohio Valley Conference and improved to 16-8 overall and 9-4 in the OVC. The nine wins tied the school record for most in the OVC since joining the league in 2008.
The Panthers' 41 points are the fewest SIUE has allowed in a game this season, and the fewest ever allowed in an OVC game.
The Cougars snapped Eastern Illinois' three game win streak as the Panthers fell to 8-16 overall and 4-9 in the OVC.
The first half started slowly, but a Ray'Sean Taylor layup gave the Cougars a 9-4 advantage 8:00 minutes into the first half. Eastern Illinois took its first lead of the game on a dunk by Terry McMorris.
SIUE regained the lead on free throw by Myles Thompson but the Panthers cut the deficit to one (22-21) at halftime on an Obadiah Curtis layup.
The Cougars controlled the second half and orchestrated a 14-4 run catapulted by back-to-back three-pointers by Desmond Polk.
SIUE used a 15-1 run and grabbed a 29-point lead (63-34), its largest of the game, on a Jordan Pickett layup. The Cougars cruised the rest of the way.
Myles Thompson recorded his first double-double as a Cougar with 15 points and 11 rebounds and added an assist.
Ring Malith recorded his 5th double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Desmond Polk and Ray'Sean Taylor also scored in double figures. Polk scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds. Taylor contributed 13 points and added three rebounds and four assists.
SIUE shot 41 percent (26-62) from the field and 31 percent (9-29) from three-point range. The Cougars were 7-15 (47 percent) from the free throw line.
Artese Stapleton anchored the Panthers with 11 points and added a rebound and an assist.
Eastern Illinois finished 14-52 (27 percent) from the field and 3-14 (21 percent) from behind the three-point arc.
The Cougars return to action on Thursday against Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tennessee. The scheduled tip is 7:30p.m.
