EASTERN ILLINOIS (12-18, 8-11 OVC) at SIUE (18-12, 11-8 OVC)
Saturday, February 28  •  3:30 pm 
Edwardsville, Ill.  •  First Community Arena

GAME INFO
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: EIU leads 20-14
LAST MEETING: @EIU 76, SIUE 72 on December 18, 2025
NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes

GAME 31
Eastern Illinois hopes of making the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament field remained alive with a big road win on Thursday at Lindenwood.  The win moved EIU into a three-way tie with Little Rock and Tennessee Tech for seventh place in the conference standings.  The Panthers are 12-18 overall, 8-11 in the OVC.  EIU does own the tie break with both schools and a win by EIU on Saturday locks up the seventh seed in the field.  SIUE locked up the number five spot in the tournament field with Thursday's win over Western Illinois coupled with EIU's win over Lindenwood.  The Cougars are 18-12 overall, 11-8 in the OVC.  

JACOBI WITH ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Kooper Jacobi put together one of his most complete collegiate games on Thursday with 30 points and 13 rebounds at Lindenwood.  It was the 14th career double-double for Jacobi and fourth time he has scored 20 or more points in game for his career.   The last player to score 30 or more points for EIU was Nakyel Shelton last year against Morehead State.  Jacobi moved his EIU career rebounding total to 598 as he looks to become just the 13th player in program history with 600 or more career rebounds.  

WHITE'S FREE THROW STREAK
Meechie White helped ice the Panthers road at the line on Thursday going 10-of-10 at the stripe at Lindenwood to score ten points.  White finished the game with 10 points for his fourth straight double figure scoring game.  He also extended his streak of consecutive free throws made to 30 (last miss was Jan. 29 against UT Martin).  The junior guard distributed four assists and picked up two steals.  White has 62 steals this season which moved him into a tie for third on the EIU single season list and third in the OVC this season.  

McMORRIS DEFENDING THE RIM
Terry McMorris was a big factor as part of the Panthers defense in the road win at Lindenwood on Thursday night.  McMorris blocked three shots to go with four steals and three defensive rebounds.  It was the fifth time this season McMorris has blocked three shots in a game with his 29 blocks this season leading the Panthers and sixth in the OVC this season.  The four steals were a season high for McMorris.  The remainder of his line for the night included eight points, three rebounds and four assists.  

UP NEXT
Wednesday - March 4, 2026 vs. TBA