EASTERN ILLINOIS (12-15, 9-5 OVC) at Tennessee State (8-16, 5-9 OVC)
Thursday, February 22 • 5 pm
Nashville, Tenn. • Gentry Center
GAME INFO
RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU
TV: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com
SERIES RECORD: EIU leads 36-16
LAST MEETING: @EIU 71, Tennessee State 67 (ot) on January 27, 2024
NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes
GAME 28
A big final two weeks remain in the OVC regular season as teams jockey for post-season position in the end of season OVC Tournament in Evansville. Eastern Illinois current three-game win streak coupled with some losses by other teams near the top of the standings has the Panthers in sole possession of second place with four games remaining. EIU has its destiny in its own hands as they can win out and earn the No. 2 seed for the second straight year which results in a bye to the semifinal round. EIU enters the weekend trip to Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech at 12-15 overall, 9-5 in the OVC. Tennessee State is at the opposite end of the spectrum as the Lady Tigers are tied for the eighth and final playoff spot with a 8-16 overall record, 5-9 in the OVC.
THORNTON WITH BIG OFFENSIVE SPURT
Taris Thornton continues her torrid end of season offensive spurt as she scored in double figures for the fourth straight game leading Eastern Illinois with 16 points on Saturday against Lindenwood. Over the last four games Thornton has averaged 12.3 points per game increasing her scoring average in OVC play to just under double figures at 9.9 points per game. The junior has been aggressive on offense getting the line 26 times in the last four games. For the season she is shooting 71.4 percent from the foul line but has increased that percentage over the last four games to 80.7 percent. Thornton has done this while adding 6.5 rebounds per game with two blocks and four steals in the four game span.
PANTHERS DOMINATING THE GLASS
Eastern Illinois dominated play on the glass once again on Saturday finishing with a plus 26 rebound margin as they won the rebounding battle by a 49-23 margin. EIU nearly matched Lindenwood’s total rebounding total with its offensive rebounding numbers as the Panthers had 22 offensive rebounds leading to 13 second chance points. It was the third time in the last four games that EIU has posted double figure offensive rebounds. The 49 overall rebounds are tied for EIU’s second most this season behind 50 at Morehead State. EIU’s last game with 20 or more offensive rebounds as last season in the road win at Southern Indiana.
UP NEXT
Saturday, February 24 at Tennessee Tech – 1 pm (ESPN+)
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