EIU Game Notes  |  Listen Live  |  Live Stats  |  Ticket Information | Tournament Bracket

EASTERN ILLINOIS (18-12) vs. Chicago St. (22-9)

March 16, 2011 • 6 p.m. 
Lantz Arena • Charleston, Ill. 
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM • TV: None 

GAME 31
Eastern Illinois participates in the second annual Women's Basketball Invitational on Wednesday, March 16 at 6 p.m. against No. 5 seed Chicago State. The Panthers have participated in postseason action for the second consecutive season after playing in the WNIT last year. The winner will face either Cleveland State or IPFW with the time, date and location of the game yet to be determined.

EIU has not played a contest in 12 days since its 78-72 loss to Austin Peay in the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on March 3 in Nashville, Tenn. The Panthers are 18-12 on the year.

Chicago State enters Wednesday's game with a 22-9 overall record after winning the Great West Conference Tournament. The Cougars have won their last four games and 16 of their last 17 contests. 

TICKET INFORMATION
Eastern Illinois has announced ticket prices for its 2011 Women's Basketball Invitational Game with Chicago State set to be played Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at Lantz Arena. Reserved floor chair back seats will be available for $7 with all other seats available as general admission seats at $5 each. A family pack ticket package will be available which allows two adults and up to four children admission for $10. Eastern Illinois students will be admitted free with their student ID. The EIU ticket office can be reached at (217) 581-2106.

EIU-CHICAGO STATE SERIES
Eastern Illinois holds a 17-4 all-time series lead but the two schools have not met since the 2004 season. In 1995 and 1996 both schools played as members of the Mid-Continent Conference. Chicago State won the last meeting between the two schools, 77-69, on Dec. 13, 2003 in Chicago.

EIU POSTSEASON TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Panthers are 0-2 in postseason tournaments since the start of the NCAA Division I era in 1982. EIU fell to Colorado, 78-72, in the 1988 NCAA Midwest Regional and lost in the WNIT last season to Marquette, 85-56.

Wednesday's game marks the second time in EIU history the Panthers have hosted a postseason tournament game. EIU played host to the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional in 1988 against Colorado. A record crowd of 1,557 poured into Lantz Arena to watch the game.

THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL
The Women's Basketball Invitational is in its second year of existence. Last season Morehead State from the OVC played in the event which was won by Appalachian State. The Women's Basketball Invitational provides a choice for postseason worthy Division I Women's teams who wish to continue their season but who do not qualify for the NCAA tournament. The 16 team event takes place over two weeks with all games being played on campus sites. Selections were announced March 14 with the first round match-ups taking place on March 16-17. The Championship game is tentatively scheduled for March 26 or 27.