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Rachael Keating

Leathernecks Welcome Panthers to Western Hall

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

After nearly two weeks without a game, Western Illinois has one final tuneup before starting conference play.

Who | Western Illinois (8-2) vs Eastern Illinois (2-9)
When | Saturday (Dec. 18), 2 p.m.
Where | Western Hall – Macomb, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Matchup history: WIU has played Eastern Illinois more times than any other school, as the two teams have faced off 162 times since their first matchup on Feb. 10, 1927. Western is 0-5 in its previous five matchups, last defeating EIU on Nov. 15, 2017. The two teams played during last season, as the Leathernecks lost their road game on Dec. 12, 2020, 88-92.

Players to watch: George Dixon has been a mainstay in the Leatherneck rotation this season, as he ranks sixth on the team at 18.3 minutes per game. Dixon was a two-year starter at Eastern Illinois prior to playing at Western, making 50 appearances (45 starts) and averaging 8.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Dixon could pass the 1,000 career rebound threshold soon, as he's up to 990 between Vincennes University, Eastern Illinois and now Western Illinois.
 
In year two as a Leatherneck, Will Carius has built off the success of his first season and is currently the team's scoring leader at 17.3 points per game. A graduate student from Bettendorf, Iowa, Carius is shooting 45.5% from the field and 44.6% from deep. Carius has scored 20 or more points in three of his last four games and made six three-pointers in Western's last game against Central Michigan.
 
Another Leatherneck who spent time at Eastern Illinois, Cameron Burrell is averaging 4.1 points and 5.1 rebounds across 15 minutes of action per game this season. Now in year two at Western Illinois, Burrell played his freshman season of college basketball for the Panthers, making 24 appearances during the 2018-19 season.
 
Scouting the opponent: Eastern Illinois is currently 2-9 and coming off a 66-54 loss on the road at Butler. Like Western, the Panthers have played several Power Five teams this season, and they also matched up against Central Michigan on Nov. 15, losing by one point. Kashawn Charles is the leading scorer at 10.4 points per game and Jermaine Hamlin is averaging 1.8 blocks.
 
What's next: The Leathernecks will head on the road for their first conference matchup after Saturday's game, heading to the Mountain West to face Denver. Tip-off against the Pioneers is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT on Monday (Dec. 20). 
 
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