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EASTERN ILLINOIS (8-17, 4-11) vs. UT Martin (9-18, 4-11)
Feb. 15, 2011 • 7 p.m. (CST)
Lantz Arena • Charleston, Ill.
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
TV: WEIU
GAME 26
Eastern Illinois hosts UT Martin on Tuesday night in a game that should help decide which team will secure the eighth and final spot for this year's OVC Tournament in Nashville. EIU dropped to 4-11 in the OVC, 8-17 overall with a loss at Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. The Panthers have now lost seven straight with their last win on January 20 at Murray State. EIU will recognize the three members of its senior class prior to the game. UT Martin is also 4-11 in the OVC and 9-18 overall. The winner of the game will have the inside track to secure the final spot in the OVC Tournament.
EIU-UT MARTIN SERIES
This will be the 32nd game in the series between Eastern Illinois and UT Martin. UT Martin pulled ahead in the all-time series 16-15 as they won 63-62 over EIU back on January 22 in Martin, Tenn., on a 3-pointer by Benzor Simmons. EIU swept the season series last season and the Panthers are 10-5 all-time against UT Martin when playing at Lantz Arena.
SCOUTING UT MARTIN
UT Martin features a balanced team with five players currently scoring in double figures. Benzor Simmons leads the Skyhawks with 11.9 coming off the bench in 19 of the team's 27 games this season. Freshmen Mike Liabo (10.6 ppg) and Troy King (10.0) also average in double figures. As a team UT Martin is allowing opponents to shoot 48 percent from the floor while scoring 75 points per game. UT Martin averages 68.4 per game.
SENIOR DAY GAME
Eastern Illinois will host its senior day game Tuesday night when the Panthers play UT Martin. EIU will recognize seniors Tyler Laser, Curry McKinney and Matt Dorlack prior to the 7 p.m. contest. Last year the three players helped EIU advance to the OVC Tournament semifinals.
No. 2 - Tyler Laser (Hillsdale, Mich./Hillsdale HS) - Laser will not be able to play in his final home game due to a season ending injury. Earlier this year he became the 35th player in EIU history to crack the 1,000 point plateau ending with 1,087 career points. He was a first team All-OVC selection last year averaging 13.9 points per game. He ends his career ranking 7th on the career 3-pointers made list with 165. As a sophomore Laser made 45 straight free throws falling one short of the OVC record.
No. 24 - Curry McKinney (Simi Valley, Calif./LA Tech/Simi Valley HS) - McKinney has moved into a starting role in the Panthers line-up during his two year career at EIU. He currently leads the Panthers in steals with 37 which ranks 10th in the OVC. Earlier this year he had a career high 22 points to help EIU knock off Bradley. His first career double-double came on Jan. 22 at UT Martin with ten points and ten rebounds.
No. 32 - Matt Dorlack (New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower HS) - Dorlack has been a four-year member of the Panthers team moving into the starting line-up in six recent games. This season more than half of his rebounds have been on the offensive end including a season high eight rebounds against Southeast Missouri. Dorlack's career high of nine rebounds came at Bowling Green during his sophomore season.
