Who | Western Illinois (1-3) at Eastern Illinois (2-4)
When | Saturday, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m.
Where | Charleston, Ill. (Lantz Arena)
TV | ESPN+
Twitter | @WIU_MensHoops
Quick Hits
- The Leathernecks picked up their first win of the season in an 80-55 victory over Mount St. Joseph; the decision also marked the first win under head coach Rob Jeter
- Tamell Pearson recorded a pair of double-doubles in action against Miami (OH) and MSJ at the Miami Invitational; his career-high 16 rebounds vs. MSJ are the most recorded in the Summit League this season
- Saturday will capture the 165th meeting between WIU and EIU. The Panthers hold a slight 83-81 edge in the all-time series
The Old Railsplitter
Traveling trophies are not as common in basketball, but Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois have slowly revitalized the act through their annual meetings on the hardwood.
The 'Old Railsplitter Ax' was first presented in 1977 and lasted three seasons before slowly fading into an afterthought. History saw it relegated to a wall in the EIU Student Union and later discovered in a storage closet until the traveling trophy series was renewed in 2016. The Panthers are in current possession of the 'Old Railsplitter' after claiming the last four contests.
Seeing Doubles
Highlighted by a career-high 22 points versus Central Michigan, Tamell Pearson is the only Leatherneck to reach double-figures all four games this season. He seeks his third straight double-double at EIU and is currently averaging a Summit League-leading 10.3 rebounds with 15.0 points (ranked eighth in the league).
No other athlete in the league is currently averaging more than 10 boards per game.
Blocked
Transfers Tamell Pearson, Will Carius, and Cameron Burrell each have five blocks on the season and tie for second in the category in the Summit.
The Scout
EIU is currently 2-4 on the year and coming off of a 68-65 loss to Evansville … Josiah Wallace and Marvin Johnson guide the team with 17.0 PPG and 10.5 PPG, respectively … Sammy Friday is the leading rebounder with 5.2 RPG
