Indiana State had a significant advantage in terms of free throws made and attempted in Friday’s win over Eastern’s men’s basketball team.

The Panthers shot great when they got to the charity stripe, shooting 12-12 for the game. The problem, however, was getting there.

The Sycamores got to the free-throw line three times as much as Eastern did. They shot a solid 80.6 percent, making 29 of their 36 attempts.

Eastern only lost by seven points, 72-79, so just doubling its output could have made a big difference in the game.

Last season the Panthers’ opponents shot more than 100 more free-throws than they did 587-486. Without some adjustments, the team could be in for similar results this season.

Granger wins OVC player of the week

Senior guard Jeremy Granger won the first Ohio Valley Conference player of the week award for the 2011-2012 season for his play against Indiana State.

Granger, the Panthers’ lone pick for the preseason All-OVC team, scored 26 points on 10-16 shooting. He was perfect from the free-throw line, shooting 5-5 for the game. He also added three rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Granger ranked eighth in the nation last season, shooting 90.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Granger is the first Panther to win an OVC player of the week award since 2007-2008.

Freshman guard Austin Akers was nominated for OVC newcomer of the week, but the award was given to Mike DiNunno from Eastern Kentucky and Tyler Stone from Southeast Missouri.

The Panthers will have their home opener Wednesday night against Loyola-Chicago. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Around the OVC

Tennessee-Martin lost to Ohio 74-64. The Skyhawks trailed by 29 points with 14:30 remaining and went on a 15-0 run to get within 14 points with a little more than eight minutes to play.

Tennessee-Martin would continue to cut the lead to single digits with 1:20, but the comeback could not be completed.

Freshman Myles Taylor notched his first career double-double as he led the Skyhawks with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The loss drops Tennessee-Martin’s record to 0-2 this season.

Jacksonville State was beat 58-44 by Marshal in its second game of the season.

The Gamecocks were led by junior Tarvin Gaines, who led all players in the game with 12 points. Gaines shot 4-7 from the field and added four rebounds.

The loss drops Jacksonville’s record to 1-1 this season.

Morehead State was blown out by North Carolina State 91-61 in its season opener.

The Atlantic Coast Conference team showed it was too much for Morehead to handle as North Carolina shot 61 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Eagles 34-23.

Senior Terrance Hill led Morehead with 14 points on 4-5 shooting from the three-point line.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at [email protected].