EASTERN ILLINOIS (6-15, 2-8 OVC) at Western Illinois (8-13, 2-8 OVC)
Thursday, January 30 • 7:30 pmÂ
Macomb, Ill. • Western Hall
GAME INFORMATION
NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: w
ww.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: WIU leads 86-84
LAST MEETING: WIU 75, @EIU 67 on Jan. 4, 2025
GAME 22
Eastern Illinois begins the second half of Ohio Valley Conference play on the road on Thursday night at Western Illinois in the first of what will be four straight road games. EIU ended a seven-game losing skid on Monday as the Panthers rallied to beat Little Rock 56-54 in a make-up game played in St. Charles, Mo. The win moved EIU to 6-15 overall, 2-8 in the OVC. Western Illinois hosts EIU on a losing skid of its own as the Leathernecks have dropped six straight falling to 8-13 overall, 2-8 in the OVC. Â
SHELTON SEALS IT AT THE LINE
Nakyel Shelton stepped up and knocked down a pair of key free throws on Monday afternoon that lifted Eastern Illinois to a 56-54 win over Little Rock. Shelton made what proved to be the game winning free throws with 3.1 seconds left in regulation capping a 6-for-6 day at the line. On the season Shelton is fourth in the OVC in free throw percentage at 82.1 percent including an 11-for-11 day at the line earlier this season at DePaul. He led the Panthers with 15 points for his 17th double figure scoring game this season. Shelton is currently second in the OVC in scoring at 17.0 points per game and eighth in field goal percentage connecting at 43.8 percent from the field. He leads the Panthers with 18 blocked shots including two on Monday against Little Rock with his 0.9 blocks per game average ranking ninth in the OVC.
STAPLETON WITH BIG 3'S DOWN THE STRETCH
Artese Stapleton has not been targeted as a 3-point shooter this season entering Monday's game with just seven made 3-pointers this season. In the win over Little Rock, Stapleton came up big from outside knocking down a pair of 3-pointers in the final 1:41 of regulation as EIU closed the game with a 10-1 run. Stapleton scored ten points for his ninth double figure scoring game this season.  He was 2-of-5 from 3-point range and is now shooting 31 percent from long range this season. His season high for 3-pointers made in a game is three at UT Martin (3-of-6). The sixth year player added five assists while picking up one steal. He now has at least one steal in ten straight games and is tied for the team lead in steals with 26.
UP NEXT
Saturday - February 1 at Lindenwood at 3:30 pm (ESPN+)Â
