EASTERN ILLINOIS (2-8) vs. Western Illinois (5-4)
Saturday, Dec. 8 • 2 pm
Charleston, Ill. • First Mid Court at Lantz Arena
NOTES: EIU Game Notes
RADIO: No Radio Broadcast
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: EIU leads 84-82
LAST MEETING: @WIU 71, EIU 54 on Dec. 18, 2021
GAME 11
Eastern Illinois wraps up its four game homestand on Saturday as the Panthers host in-state rival Western Illinois in the Battle for Old Railsplitter Axe. The Panthers are 1-2 during the current home stretch of games after dropping a Wednesday contest with Ball State. EIU fell to 2-8 on the season as they have three non-conference games remaining before opening Ohio Valley Conference play at home on Dec. 29. Western Illinois enters on a hot streak having won three straight following a home win on Wednesday over Iowa Wesleyan. The Leathernecks are 5-4 on the season
ELLINGTON SCORES FOR PANTHERS
Nick Ellington provided some low post offense for the Panthers on Wednesday against Ball State as the junior college forward finished with a season high 12 points. Ellington was 3-of-4 from the floor as he leads the Panthers in field goal percentage at 55 percent. Over the last five games he is shooting 58 percent from the floor while averaging nine points per game. On Wednesday he was 6-of-6 from the foul line. For the season Ellington has made 37 trips to the free throw line which ranks 8th in the OVC.
HODGES CONSISTENT FOR EIU OFFENSE
Kinyon Hodges has been a consistent force for Eastern Illinois offense this season as the junior college transfer scored in double figures for the seventh time in nine games this season with 12 points against Ball State. Hodges leads the Panthers in scoring for the season with 11.2 points per game with a season high of 15 points against St. Mary of the Woods. He added 14 point nights against No. 23 Illinois and Illinois State. He was in foul trouble in both games in which he scored in single digits (Ohio State and Ohio) and missed the Panthers game with Northern Illinois due to a death in the family.
UP NEXT
Saturday - December 17 at IUPUI ... 11 am on ESPN+
