EASTERN ILLINOIS (1-0) vs. IUPUI (1-0)
Nov. 18, 2009 • 7 p.m. (CST)
Lantz Arena • Charleston, Ill.
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
- Mike Bradd & Jack Ashmore
GAME 2
Eastern Illinois will look to win its home opener when the Panthers host IUPUI on Wednesday night. EIU is looking to start a season 2-0 for the first time since the 1998-99 season. EIU won its regular season opener on the road with a 72-62 victory over Toledo. IUPUI comes into the contest with a 1-0 record after winning a shootout with Drake as part of the Glenn Wilkes Classic.
EIU-IUPUI SERIES
This will be the fourth meeting between Eastern Illinois and IUPUI. The Panthers hold a slight series advantage at 2-1 with those wins coming back in the early 1980's. The two teams resumed the series last season at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis with the Jaguars winning 67-60.
Tyler Laser scored 17 points for EIU to keep it close before IUPUI pulled away late in the second half.
SCOUTING IUPUI
The Jaguars come into the contest with a 1-0 record after picking up a 88-82 win at Drake as part of the Glenn Wilkes Classic. The Jaguars had three players score 83 of their 88 points in the win with Robert Glenn scoring 37, Leroy Nobles 27 and Alex Young 19. IUPUI was lights out from the floor connecting for 67 percent on the night including a 10-for-17 effort from 3-point range.
HOME OPENERS
Eastern Illinois will play its home opener on Wednesday night against IUPUI. The Panthers are 3-1 in home openers under head coach Mike Miller. Last season EIU opened the home season with a 82-52 win over Manchester College. Since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 1981 the Panthers have posted a 24-4 record in home openers at Lantz Arena. The most frequent opponent for a home opener in those seasons has been Indiana State with the Panthers knocking off the Sycamores in three of four meetings to open a year.
