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EASTERN ILLINOIS (3-4) at Eastern Kentucky (7-2, 1-1 OVC)
Wednesday, Dec. 30 •  7 pm 
Richmond, Ky.  •  McBrayer Arena

EIU GAME NOTES:  PDF Link
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: EKU leads 24-18
LAST MEETING: EKU 91, @EIU 84 on Feb. 6, 2020

GAME 8
Eastern Illinois will open Ohio Valley Conference play on Wednesday, Dec. 30 after the Panthers originally scheduled OVC opener on Dec. 21 at SIUE was postponed due to Ohio Valley Conference COVID-19 protocols.  The two teams are working together for a date to reschedule the contest.  With the delay, EIU will face a 18-day gap between games as the Panthers last played on Dec. 12 with a home win over Western Illinois.  EIU wrapped up non-conference play at 3-4.  Eastern Kentucky enters the game with a 7-2 record following a win against High Point on Dec. 22.  The Colonels are already 1-1 in the OVC having split their season series with Morehead State.  

SMITH MOVES INTO NCAA RECORD BOOKS
Mack Smith knocked down a 3-pointer on his second attempt of the night last Saturday against Western Illinois as the senior guard moved into a tie in the NCAA record book for the most consecutive games with a 3-pointer made.  Smith has now made a 3-pointer in 88 straight games dating back to Jan. 6, 2018 at Eastern Kentucky.  He tied former Illinois star Cory Bradford for the record and will attempt to break it at SIUE on Monday night.  This season Smith has knocked down 17 3-pointers and is averaging 10.1 points per game.  He is 3rd all-time at EIU with 231 career 3-pointers and 20th on the EIU career scoring list with 1,217 points. 

TEAM EFFORT FOR SCORING
Eastern Illinois had its most balanced scoring attack of the season during last Saturday's 92-88 win over Western Illinois.  Six Panthers scored in double figured led by Josiah Wallace with 22 points.  Two players, Kashawn Charles and Jordan Skipper-Brown, scored in double figures off the bench.  It marked the first time since last year's OVC Tournament game against Austin Peay that five EIU players scored in double figures.  The last time EIU had six or more players score in double figures was Nov. 18, 2019 when seven Panthers scored in double figures against Indiana Northwest during a 114-61 win. 

UP NEXT
Saturday, Jan. 2 vs. Tennessee Tech at 4 pm (ESPN+)