EASTERN ILLINOIS (5-7, 2-3 OVC) vs. Eastern Kentucky (11-2, 5-1 OVC)
Saturday, Jan. 16 • 4 pm
Charleston, Ill. • First Mid Court at Lantz Arena
EIU GAME NOTES: PDF Link
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: Eastern Kentucky leads 25-18
LAST MEETING: @EKU 69, EIU 61 on Dec. 30, 2020
GAME 13
Eastern Illinois wraps up its five game homestand on Saturday afternoon hosting Eastern Kentucky. The Panthers lost on Thursday night to Morehead State as they are 2-2 on the current homestand. Overall is 5-7 with a 2-3 record in OVC play. The Panthers played with their eighth different starting line-up combination against Morehead State as several players have missed games this season with injury and COVID-19 protocols. Eastern Kentucky comes to Charleston for its only game of the week after having Thursday's contest postponed at SIUE. The Colonels are ranked No. 18 in the CollegeInsider Mid-Major Top 25 with an 11-2 record, 5-1 in the OVC. EKU is off to its best start since the 1952-53 season.
PANTHERS COLD FROM THE FIELD
Eastern Illinois was cold from the field on Thursday night against Morehead State as the Panthers connected for only 36.9 percent from the field. The cold streak carried over to 3-point shooting and free throws as EIU was 7-of-28 for 25 percent from 3-point range and 6-of-14 for 42.9 percent from the line. The Panthers have now been cold from 3-point range for the last three games going 22-of-81 for 27.1 percent from long range. Prior to those three games EIU had been leading the OVC in 3-point field goal percentage at 37.6 percent (62-of-165).
DIARRA CRASHES THE GLASS
Madani Diarra had his best night on the glass for the Panthers on Thursday against Morehead State. Diarra pulled down a season high eight rebounds with five coming on the offensive boards. Prior to the game Diarra had only collected six rebounds in his previous nine appearances this season. Of his 14 rebounds this season, six have come on the offensive end of the floor. The transfer from Saint Louis added three points against Morehead State as he has scored in four straight games and is averaging 1.7 points per game for the year.
UP NEXT
Thursday, Jan. 21 at Belmont, 7:30 pm (ESPN+)
