EASTERN ILLINOIS (15-14, 8-9 OVC) at SIUE (8-22, 5-12 OVC)
Saturday, Feb. 29 • 2 pm
Edwardsville, Ill. • First Community Arena
EIU GAME NOTES: PDF Lnk
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.siuecougars.com
SERIES RECORD: EIU leads 15-6
LAST MEETING: SIUE 76, @EIU 74 on February 13, 2020
GAME 30
Eastern Illinois had a game come down to the final shot for the fifth straight game as the Panthers escaped the Show Me Center with a 72-70 win over Southeast Missouri. EIU moved back over .500 for the season at 15-14 overall, 8-9 in the OVC. It was the first OVC road win of the season for EIU which locked up a spot in this year's OVC Tournament next week in Evansville. EIU could finish as high as tied for fifth in the OVC standings but will be the sixth seed. SIUE closes out the regular season as the Cougars enter at 8-22 overall, 5-12 in the OVC.
WALLACE 20-POINT STREAK CONTINUES
Josiah Wallace poured in 29 points on Thursday at Southeast Missouri as the Panthers junior guard scored 20 or more points for the seventh straight game. Wallace was named the OVC Player of the Week last week for his efforts in home wins over Murray State and Austin Peay. He continued that at SEMO going 13-of-24 from the field. The last player to score 20 or more points for the Panthers in seven straight games was Henry Domercant during the 2001-02 season when he had a streak of 16 straight. Wallace is averaging 23.1 points per game over the seven games shooting 48.9 percent from the field.
PANTHERS MAKE OVC TOURNAMENT FIELD
Eastern Illinois men's basketball locked up a spot in this year's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament field with a win on Thursday night at Southeast Missouri. This marks the third straight year EIU has made the tournament field and seventh time in head coach
Jay Spoonhour's eight year tenure. Only Belmont and Murray State have made it the last eight year's and should Morehead State advance they would join EIU as the only other team to have made it seven of the last eight years.
CLOSE CALLS THIS SEASON
Eastern Illinois played its fifth straight game decided by one possession on Thursday night as the Panthers picked up a 72-70 win at Southeast Missouri. EIU has now won three straight games all by three points or less. For the season EIU is 5-9 in games decided by five points or less and 5-6 in games decided by three points or less.
UP NEXT
Wednesday, March 4 at OVC Tournament First Round vs TBA - 8:30 pm (ESPN+)
