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EASTERN ILLINOIS (6-7, 4-4 OVC) at BELMONT (4-3, 1-1 OVC)
Thursday, Jan. 21 • 4:00 p.m. 
Nashville, Tenn. • Curb Event Arena

GAME NOTES: Read
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
ESPN +: Watch
LIVE STATS: Follow
SERIES RECORD: Belmont leads all-time series: 8-4
LAST MEETING: Jan. 4, 2020: EKU won 69-45

A WEEKEND IN THE MUSIC CITY
Eastern Illinois faces the Belmont Bruins at the Curb Event Arena on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 4 p.m. The Panthers are riding a three-game winning streak after a 73-68 win against Eastern Kentucky. Both Karle Pace and Kira Arthofer recorded career-highs in that contest. Pace scored 32 points, while Arthofer dished 11 assists. The Panthers have turned the season back in the right direction and will look to continue this momentum against Belmont, a team that EIU has not defeated on the road since Feb. 22, 2014. Belmont is coming off a 72-66 loss to Murray State. This was the Bruins first game back since Dec. 20, 2020

PLAYER TO WATCH
Kira Arthofer has been on a quiet tear for Eastern Illinois this season. The junior guard is leading the OVC in assists-per-game (4.9) and total assists (64). Besides her stellar passing, she is averaging a career-high 5.8 points-per-game on a 53% field-goal percentage. Arthofer is one of the best on-ball defenders in the OVC; she has recorded 24 steals this season. The guards of Belmont are pertinent to the success of the team, and Arthofer will play an invaluable role in wearing out the Bruins.

SCOUTING THE BRUINS
Belmont has had their fair share of cancellations and postponements, but they will return after a month away from competition to face a red-hot Panthers team. The Bruins have been led by their freshman guards, Tuti Jones, and Destinee Wells. Jones leads the Bruins in points-per-game (12.5) while Wells isn't far off, averaging 11.4 points-per-game. Jones leads the team in steals and rebounds-per-game but has also committed the most fouls on the squad. Jones' foul trouble could be a major factor for the Panthers as they are leading the conference in attempts and makes from the free-throw line. Arthofer is heralded by coaches for her on-ball defense, and Pace has been working on her defense and stated it was a point of emphasis in the offseason. This will be one of her biggest defensive tests so far. 

UP NEXT
The Panthers will stay in Nashville to take on Tennessee State. The Tigers are one of 17 teams in D1 that have not won a contest this season. EIU will look to keep that trend alive and leave the Tigers singing the blues.