Fresh off a convincing win over SIUE, the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will look to keep rolling on Saturday when the Colonels host OVC foe Eastern Illinois at McBrayer Arena at 2:00 p.m.
WHAT TO KNOW
– EKU had its best defensive game of the year in the 78-61 win over SIUE on Thursday. The Colonels stifled the Cougars to 29.6% (16-of-54) shooting from the field (the first time they have held an opponent below 30% shooting this season) and, at one point, forced SIUE into 19 consecutive misses from the floor.
– EKU out-rebounded SIUE, 42-33, and outscored the Cougars in the paint, 54-8.
– Freshman Asante Gist poured in a career-high 25 points and matched a career-high with six assists vs. SIUE. He shot 13-of-14 from the free throw stripe. Gist leads all OVC freshmen in scoring (14.5 points-per-game), assists (4.1 assists-per-game) and minutes played (30.4 minutes-per-game).
– Sophomore Nick Mayo blocked a season-high three shots vs. SIUE. Junior Dillon Avare had a career-high four assists against the Cougars, while freshman Parker Chitty led the team with a career-high eight rebounds.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
– This is the 38th all-time meeting between EKU and EIU. EKU leads the series, 22-15; however, the Colonels have dropped two straight to the Panthers, including a 97-85 loss last year in Charleston.
– Eastern Illinois comes in having lost three straight games, including OVC opening losses to Jacksonville State and Morehead State.
– Montell Goodwin paces the Panthers at 14.7 points-per-game.
UP NEXT
Saturday’s game is part of a four-game home stand for EKU. The Colonels wrap it up next week by hosting Tennessee State (Thursday, January 12) and Belmont (Saturday, January 14).
— www.EKUSports.com —
Steve Fohl
Associate Director of EKUSports Communications