EASTERN ILLINOIS (2-9) at Western Illinois (8-2)
Saturday, Dec. 18 • 2 pm
Macomb, Ill. • Western Hall
EIU GAME NOTES: PDF Link
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: WIU TV
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: EIU leads 84-81
LAST MEETING: @EIU 92, WIU 88 on Dec. 12, 2020
GAME 12
Eastern Illinois returns to action on Saturday as the Panthers travel to Western Illinois for the Old Railsplitter Axe Rivalry Game. EIU was last in action on Saturday as the Panthers played at Butler falling to 2-9 on the season after a 66-54 loss at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Western Illinois has not played since Dec. 5 when the Leathernecks picked up a 97-70 win at Central Michigan. WIU has won four straight games and is 5-0 at home at Western Hall this season as they are off to an 8-2 start this year. Following the game at Western Illinois, EIU will play a Tuesday night game at Ball State to wrap up non-conference play before the Holiday Break.
BIZIMANA WITH EFFORT OFF BENCH
Freshman
Paul Bizimana had his best game of the season last Saturday at Butler as he came off the bench to play a season high 31 minutes. Bizimana collected his first double figure scoring game of his EIU career finishing with ten points. He would pull down seven rebounds marking the second time this season he has collected seven boards in a game (also at Northern Illinois). Bizimana was credited with three blocks and one steal in the game. His previous season high was five points in the season opener at Northwestern.
LANE SCORES TEAM HIGH AT BUTLER
CJ Lane came off the bench at Butler last Saturday and posted his best shooting performance of the season. The junior college transfer was 4-of-7 from 3-point range as he finished with a team-high 12 points. It was Lane's third double figure scoring game of the season after finishing with 11 points against Rockford and 10 points at Saint Louis. It marked the fourth time this season Lane has hit multiple 3-pointers in a game as he is currently third on the team with 14 made 3-pointers.
UP NEXT
Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Ball State, 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
