EASTERN ILLINOIS (9-13, 5-6 OVC) vs. Southast Missouri (12-10, 7-4 OVC)
Saturday, January 31  •  3:30 pm 
Charleston, Ill.  •  Groniger Arena

GAME INFO
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: SEMO leads 40-33
LAST MEETING: @Southeast Missouri 68, EIU 59 on January 1, 2026
NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes

GAME 23
Eastern Illinois and UT Martin both shot over 50 percent in the first half on Thursday night.  In the second half UTM was able to maintain that good shooting percentage while the Panthers shooting fell off in a loss that snapped EIU's six-game home win streak.  The Panthers are now 9-13 overall, 5-6 in the OVC with an 8-3 record at Groniger Arena this season.  EIU has four home games remaining this season starting with Saturday's game against Southeast Missouri.  The Redhawks have won three straight to improve to 12-10 overall, 7-4 in the OVC.  

MCMORRIS BACK IN DOUBLE FIGURES
Terry McMorris opened the season with a double-double at Valparaiso scoring 11 points to go along with 11 rebounds.  He would score in double figures four more times over the opening seven games with a season high of 18 points at Kentucky.  Since a 13 point afternoon at Purdue, McMorris has reached double figures just two times including 15 points on Thursday against UT Martin while pulling down eight rebounds.  It was his second double figure game in OVC play after 12 points in the home win over Western Illinois.   

MEECHIE COLLECTING STEALS
Guard Meechie White has been one of the Panthers top defensive guards this season leading the team with 45 steals which ranks fourth in the OVC at 2.0 steals per game.  On Thursday he posted his third straight game with multiple steals finishing with three against UT Martin.  Earlier this season he had five in the road game at UT Martin to go with 12 points.  White scored 14 points on Thursday for his eighth double figure game this season.  He also matched his season high of five steals last Saturday at Morehead State. 

FISHER CRASHES THE GLASS
Nazareth Fisher averaged a double-double last season playing at NCAA Division II Point Park and entered his fifth collegiate season (due to NCAA waiver granting extra year for NAIA play) with 794 collegiate rebounds.  Following some early season shoulder issues, Fisher pulled down his 800th career rebound in the OVC opener against Lindenwood on Dec. 6.  On Thursday he had his second double figure rebounding game as a Panther with ten against UT Martin.  Fisher now has 866 career college rebounds and 36 career double figure rebounding games.

UP NEXT
Thursday - February 5, 2026 at Tennessee State (7:30 pm / ESPN+)