EASTERN ILLINOIS (14-11, 8-7)
at UT Martin (4-21, 1-14)
Feb. 16, 2010 • 7 p.m. (CST)
Elam Center • Martin, Tenn.
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
Mike Bradd & Rich Moser
GAME 26
Eastern Illinois will play its final regular-season road game on Tuesday night at UT Martin as the Panthers look to extend their current three game win streak. EIU is coming off a weekend sweep of Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky which placed the Panthers just a half-game out of fourth place and a chance to host a first round OVC game. EIU improved to 14-11 overall, 8-7 in the OVC and needs two more wins in its last four games to assure the program of its first winning season since 2001. UT Martin fell to 4-21 on the season following a pair of road losses at Jacksonville State and Morehead State last weekend. The Skyhawks did pick up their first OVC win of the season in their most recent home game with a 73-70 win over Southeast Missouri.
EIU-UT MARTIN SERIES
Eastern Illinois tightened up the all-time series with UT Martin earlier this season when the Panthers won 60-46 over the Skyhawks back on Jan. 23. The win trimmed the all-time series to 15-14 in favor of UT Martin. The Panthers have had their struggles playing at the Elam Center losing in their last five trips to UTM. The last EIU win in Martin, Tenn., was Feb. 15, 2003, a 85-84 win.
SCOUTING UT MARTIN
Coming off an OVC championship season in which UT Martin lost OVC Player of the Year Lester Hudson, the Skyhawks struggled to find a floor leader this season. Early in the year it was Benzor Simmons at 13.3 points per game but in recent weeks guard Marquis Weddle has stepped up and now leads UTM with 16.2 points per game. UTM is shooting 37.9 percent as a team.
EIU DRAWS NORTHERN ILLINOIS IN BRACKETBUSTER
Eastern Illinois will play an old rival as the Panthers drew Northern Illinois for this year's ESPNU Bracketbuster game. It will be the 85th time that the two schools have played each other with NIU holding a 43-42 series advantage.
