The Eastern men’s basketball team returned home Sunday afternoon, losing to Evansville 70-54 in Lantz Arena. 

It is the third-straight loss for the Panthers, who are now 1-6 on the season. 

The Purple Aces blew the game open early on, opening the game on a 32-10 run. 

They built this lead with superior three-point shooting, going 8-of-16 from deep in the first half.

The Panthers were able to cut the deficit to 14 points by halftime, but could not pull closer in the second half, being outscored 32-30 in the final 20 minutes. 

The Panthers shot 38 percent from the field in the game while Evansville shot 41.5 percent. 

The Purple Aces were not nearly as efficient from three in the second half as they were in the first, going just 3-of-15, but shot nearly 50 percent on two-point attempts.

Eastern attempted just 10 three pointers in the game, making three of them.

Eastern also turned it over 16 times while only forcing seven Evansville turnovers. 

Three Eastern players scored in double figures, led by forward Sammy Friday IV with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. 

Guards Kejuan Clements and Kashawn Charles scored 11 and 10 points respectively. 

Evansville had four players score in double figures, led by senior guard Shamar Givance with 26 points. He also had five assists and five steals. 

Givance shot 10-of-13 from the field including 3-of-4 from three. 

Senior guard Jawaun Newton had 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks for the Purple Aces. 

Eastern will be back in action Wednesday when they play Northern Illinois on the road. 

They will then host North Park at home on Saturday. 

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].