EASTERN ILLINOIS (5-9, 1-0 OVC) vs. Southern Indiana (8-6, 1-0 OVC)
Saturday, Dec. 31 • 3:30 pm
Charleston, Ill. • First Mid Court at Lantz Arena
NOTES: EIU Game Notes
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: USI leads 2-1
LAST MEETING: @USI 81, EIU 78 on Feb. 23, 1983
GAME 15
Eastern Illinois opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a 55-54 win over Lindenwood as the Panthers won their OVC opener for the first time since the 2018-19 season. EIU is now 5-9 overall as the Panthers have won three straight, the longest win streak since a five-game win streak to close the 2019-20 season which included a first round win in the OVC Tournament. EIU is currently tied with SIUE for the longest active win streak in the league. The Panthers close the opening weekend of conference play facing the second of three OVC newcomers in Southern Indiana. USI opened its OVC era with a home win over Southeast Missouri to improve to 8-6 overall.
GOING ON THE DEFENSIVE
Eastern Illinois was defensive in its OVC opener as they held Lindenwood to 38.2 percent shooting from the floor. It marked the third straight game EIU has held an opponent under 40 percent shooting and seventh overall time this season. EIU is 5-2 this season in games where the opponent shoots below 40 percent in the game. The Panthers currently lead the OVC in both field goal percentage defense (41.2 percent) and scoring defense (67.9 ppg). EIU has held two opponents below 30 percent and four opponents under 55 points.
BIZIMANA PROVIDES SPARK OFF THE BENCH
Last season
Paul Bizimana was EIU's top offensive weapon during Ohio Valley Conference play averaging 9.7 points per game in conference play which included three games with 20 or more points. With the start of conference play on Thursday night, Bizimana came off the bench for his best offensive performance this season as he finished with nine points going 3-of-6 from the field and 3-of-3 at the free throw line. Bizimana added three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in the win. His previous season high was six points in the opener at No. 23 Illinois.
UP NEXT
Thursday - January 5 at Tennessee Tech ... 7:30 pm on ESPN+
