Eastern Illinois (EIU) is set to face UT Martin on Thursday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m. CT at the Elam Center in Martin, Tennessee. Currently struggling with three consecutive losses in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), EIU holds a record of 5-11 overall and 1-4 in conference play. The Panthers recently completed a four-game homestand, going 1-3, with their latest setback being a defeat against Tennessee Tech.
UT Martin, with a record of 7-10 and 3-3 in the OVC, recently experienced a mixed weekend, securing an overtime victory against Western Illinois but then falling to Lindenwood. The Skyhawks hope to regain momentum at home.
Highlighting the Panthers’ efforts is guard Shelton, who just achieved his first double-double with EIU by scoring 20 points and grabbing 13 rebounds against Tennessee Tech. This marked his ninth career 20-point game and he remains a key player for EIU, ranking third in the OVC with an average of 17.2 points per game, and second in free throw percentage at 83.1%. His consistent scoring has been crucial for the Panthers this season.
Looking ahead, EIU will have an important matchup against conference leader Morehead State on January 23, which has been scheduled for national broadcast on ESPNU, showcasing the Panthers at Groniger Arena. Following their contest with UT Martin, EIU will travel to Tennessee State for another OVC game on Saturday, January 18.
The upcoming games provide EIU with opportunities to turn around their current streak and improve their standings in the conference. With key performances from players like Shelton, the Panthers are hopeful for better outcomes in the coming matches.