Tweet #W1NasONE

PDF Box Score

MADISON, Wis. – Eastern Illinois men's basketball opened the 2020-21 season on Wednesday night with the Panthers falling at No. 7 Wisconsin, 77-67.

The Badgers were the second highest ranked team that EIU had ever faced during a regular season game and they showed why they are highly ranked. 

Wisconsin led 43-20 at the half with Nate Reuvers leading the way.  Reuvers finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.

In the opening half Josiah Wallace had four points as he became the 41st player in school history to join the 1,000 point club for his career.  Wallace finished with 22 points.

In the second half EIU was able to get to the foul line and convert as a 16-3 run closed the Wisconsin lead to 56-42.  EIU finished the game 13-of-13 at the foul line.  Junior Farquhar was 6-of-6 at the line finishing with nine points.

EIU would cut the lead to 12 points at 60-48 with 8:59 on a Wallace jumper.  Wallace's 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining set the final score.

Jordan Skipper-Brown added 14 points off the bench while George Dixon pulled down ten rebounds.  Mack Smith knocked down a 3-pointer midway through the second half to extend his consecutive game streak with a made 3-pointer to 82 straight games.

Ben Carlson and D'Mitrik Trice joined Reuvers in double figures to lead Wisconsin.  Carlson scored 13 with Trice adding 11.