Skip To Main Content

Eastern Illinois University Athletics

Skip Ad
EIU women's basketball picked 5th in OVC poll - Lalani Ellis and Meoishe Mason named players to watch

EIU Picked Fifth In OVC Preseason Poll

Ellis and Mason named EIU players to watch

10/14/2025 8:15:00 AM

The 2025-26 college basketball season is just weeks away as the Ohio Valley Conference unveiled its preseason polls and players to watch for the upcoming season on Tuesday (Oct. 14).
Eastern Illinois was picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll that had three different schools collect at least one first place vote in rankings.
Ā 
The Panthers went 18-12 overall last season, 15-5 in the OVC.Ā Ā 
Ā 
Lalani Ellis and Meioshe Mason were named players to watch in the OVC for the Panthers.Ā  Ā 
Ā 
Ellis is the Panthers returning scoring leader at 7.7 points per game last season and she is one of three starters back from last season joining Sydney-James Desroches (6.7 ppg) and Lyric Johnson (2.4 ppg).

Mason is a transfer from Middle Tennessee and at 6'4" will give the Panthers an impressive front line that includes 6'10" Texas transfer Abbie Boutilier and 6'4" redshirt freshman Olivia Thostenson.Ā 

In addition to starters Ellis, Desroches and Johnson returning from last season's team EIU has senior guard Tiny Lewis, junior forward Ella Lune and sophomore guards Alanna Phillipo and Adriana Arroyo back with experience.

The Panthers also hit the transfer portal with guards Ava Stoller from SIUE and Clara Glad from UC Davis.
Ā 
EIU opens the 2025-26 season at home on Monday, November 3 hosting Drake for the Panthers Kid's Day Game.Ā  EIU's OVC schedule will also open at home at Groniger Arena when EIU hosts SIUE on December 18. Ā 

Lindenwood was the preseason favorite with Tennessee Tech selected second.Ā  Western Illinois and Southern Indiana followed before the Panthers were slotted in fifth. Ā 

WBB Poll
1. Lindenwood (6 first-place) 179
2. Tennessee Tech (12) 175
3. Western Illinois (4) 166
4. Southern Indiana 147
5. Eastern Illinois 121
6. UT Martin 117
7. Little Rock 110
8. Tennessee State 78
9. Southeast Missouri 51
10. Morehead State 33
Ā  Ā  Ā SIUE 33



Print Friendly Version
Skip Ad