EASTERN ILLINOIS (5-10, 1-3 OVC) vs. Tennessee Tech (8-7, 3-1 OVC)
Thursday, January 9 • 7:30 pm
Charleston, Ill. • Groniger Arena
GAME INFORMATION
NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: TTU leads 32-19
LAST MEETING: @TTU 75, EIU 67 on Feb. 24, 2024
GAME 16
Eastern Illinois had a couple of late chances to win or tie the game on Tuesday but came up short against SIUE dropping their second straight Ohio Valley Conference game. The loss brought EIU's record to 5-10 overall, 1-3 in the OVC. The Panthers now wrap up their five game homestand on Thursday night with their fourth straight OVC home contest welcoming Tennessee Tech to Groniger Arena. The Golden Eagles are one of three teams currently tied for first in the OVC early season race at 3-1 in the conference, 8-7 overall.
WELCOME BACK COREY
Corey Sawyer Jr missed the first 14 games of the season recovering from a summer knee surgery after playing in 29 games with 16 starts last season. Sawyer made his 2024-25 season debut on Tuesday night against SIUE playing just over 29 minutes. Sawyer scored seven points while pulling down two rebounds with one assist. Last season Sawyer averaged 8.9 points per game with that average increasing to 10.3 points per game during OVC play. He had 14 double figure scoring games including a career high 20 points at UT Martin.
PANTHERS DEFENSE ON THE STEAL
Eastern Illinois collected 12 steals on Tuesday night against SIUE leading to ten points off turnovers. It marked the fifth time this season that EIU has had double figure steals in a game as the Panthers rank second in the OVC this season at 9.5 steals per game (26th in the NCAA). EIU's season high for steals came just two weeks ago against Blackburn College with the 20 steals just one shy of tying the school single game record. The Panthers have led the OVC in steals each of the last two seasons establishing the top two marks on the EIU single season steals chart.
PLAYING ON SHORT REST
Eastern Illinois will play its fourth OVC game in the span of a week as the Panthers host Tennessee Tech on Thursday night to wrap up a four-game OVC homestand. The stretch opened last Thursday with EIU hosting Lindenwood followed by a Saturday game with Western Illinois. The Panthers then returned to action on Tuesday hosting SIUE before welcoming the Golden Eagles to town.
UP NEXT
Thursday - January 16 at UT Martin, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
