EASTERN ILLINOIS (7-17, 3-8 OVC) vs. Tennessee State (13-11, 5-6 OVC)
Saturday, Feb. 4 • 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: TSU leads 34-26
LAST MEETING: @TSU 78, EIU 74 on Jan. 19, 2023
GAME 25
Eastern Illinois returns home to host Tennessee State as the Panthers enter the stretch run of the Ohio Valley Conference schedule looking to snap a five game losing skid. EIU fell to 7-17 overall, 3-8 in the OVC with Thursday night's road loss at Lindenwood. EIU is currently locked in a three-way tie for eighth in the OVC standings with the top eight teams advancing to the OVC Tournament in Evansville on March 1-4. Tennessee State heads to Charleston having won two straight after a road win at Southern Indiana on Thursday. The Tigers enter the weekend at 13-11 overall, 5-6 in the OVC.
PANTHERS CONNECT FROM 3
Overshadowed by a red hot start to the second half by Lindenwood on Thursday night was the fact that the Panthers posted their best 3-point shooting night of the season. EIU knocked down a season-high ten 3-pointers going 10-of-19 from 3-point range. The last time EIU made ten or more 3-pointers in a game was nearly a year ago against UT Martin when the Panthers went 11-of-23 during a home win on February 12. The 52.6 percent clip from 3-point range was also a season high with the Panthers twice hitting for 50 percent from 3-point range earlier this year (St. Mary of the Woods and home vs. Southern Indiana).
PROTECTING THE RIM IN OVC PLAY
Eastern Illinois has been one of the best in the OVC in terms of protecting the rim during conference play as the Panthers lead the league with 43 blocked shots.
Nick Ellington has been a big part of that defensive play with 17 of his 24 blocks this season coming during OVC play, a total that ranks third in conference play. EIU currently has 79 blocked shots as a team needing 15 more blocks this season to crack the EIU top ten for single season team blocks. EIU's season high for blocks this year is nine against Little Rock.
UP NEXT
Thursday - February 9 vs. UT Martin ... 7:30 pm on ESPN+
