Senior guard Zion Fruster was held to zero points in EIU’s 66-63 loss to UT Martin in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Championships Thursday evening at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
Fruster was held scoreless following a 23-point game the night before.
UT Martin head coach Jeremy Shulman said Fruster was the focal point on defense.
“He’s such a great player, he played so well last night. I’d like to take some credit for our defense on it, but he probably was a little gassed from last night also,” Shulman said.
Fruster played 44 out of 45 minutes in the win over Southern Illinois Edwardsville.
He played six minutes in the second half of the UT Martin game.
Panthers head coach Marty Simmons said the five players on the floor were playing well together and decided to keep those guys on the floor.
Fruster averaged 13 points per game in two games against UT Martin this season.
This is the first time Fruster has not scored in a game in his Eastern career besides playing two minutes against Morehead State due to injury in the 2024-2025 season.
The Panthers were outrebounded 39-33. The Skyhawks had 14 offensive rebounds to Eastern’s nine.
Eastern made one shot on nine attempts to close out the first half that propelled UT Martin to go on a 16-5 run to carry a 27-22 lead.
The Panthers outscored the Skyhawks in the second half 41-39 but it was not enough to overcome the drought in the first half.
Graduate forward Kooper Jacobi finished his collegiate career with 12 points and nine rebounds.
“I’m very thankful for the win yesterday, and unfortunately we weren’t able to get one tonight, but to do something for Eastern, make the tournament and get a win, for the university and program is big, and I hope the next guys can build on it in the future,” Jacobi said.
Sophomore Terry McMorris had another double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
This is the first time in his career that he has two straight double-double performances and the third double-double of his career.
“He made a big jump from his freshman year, his game against SEMO at the end of the year was outstanding,” Simmons said. “Then he just gained more confidence as the season went on,” Simmons said
Simmons said McMorris battled a groin injury and did not practice the day before the tournament.
Redshirt Junior Preston Turner stepped up leading Eastern with 18 points while shooting 6-of-10 from the field and 4-of-8 from three.
Turner was looked to at the end of the game scoring the teams last seven points
Tonight’s game marks the last for four EIU players: Fruster, Nazareth Fisher, Andre Washington and the longest tenured Panther, Jacobi.
Jacobi hopes the impact he leaves on his teammates is that they will play for something bigger than themselves
“For me, it was giving God the glory and everything and I want to make that known to my team and everyone.”
Cameron Thomas can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].
