2020EIUEKUM

Eastern Illinois University vs. Eastern Kentucky University (Men)

Paul S. McBrayer Arena

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

December 30, 2020

Eastern Illinois University coach Jay Spoonhour started the following lineup: 6-6 Sr. Marvin Johnson, 6-5 Sr. George Dixon, 6-9 Gr. Sammy Friday IV, 6-2 Sr. Mack Smith, and 6-3 Jr. Junior Farquhar.  Eastern Kentucky University coach AW Hamilton countered with 6-7 Jr. Cheikh Faye, 6-6 Fr. Devontae Blanton, 6-10 So. Tariq Balogun, 6-0 Sr. Russhard Cruickshank, and 6-2 Sr. Jacquess Hobbs.  (Coach Hamilton was without the services of 6-2 Jr. Jomaru Brown and 6-0 Jr. Brandon Knapper, out with injuries).

The old adage states “It’s better to win ugly than lose pretty” fit tonight’s game as Eastern Kentucky survived to earn a 69-61 victory in a game punctuated  by fouls and turnovers.  There were three ties and six lead changes in the game.  Eastern Kentucky shot 44.1% from the field including five of 20 from the three point line.  The Colonels connected on 12 of 23 free throws, pulled down 37 rebounds, and scored 23 points off 24 EIU turnovers.  Eastern Illinois University shot 33.3% from the filed including six of 20 from beyond the arc.  The Panthers connected on 11 of 14 free throws, pulled down 49 rebounds, and scored 12 points off 18 EKU turnovers.

6-9 Jr. Tre King led Eastern Kentucky with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and two steals.  6-5 Fr. Curt Lewis added nine points, six rebounds, and four steals.  5-11 Fr. Wendell Green Jr. recorded nine points, three rebounds, three assists, and five steals.  6-1 Jr. Cooper Robb chipped in with nine points, three rebounds, and two steals.  Russhard Cruickshank added eight points and Tariq Balogun blocked five shots.

George Dixon led Eastern Illinois University with 12 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.  Marvin Johnson added nine points, five rebounds, and three assists.  6-0 Fr. Henry Abraham also scored nine points.  Mack Smith added eight points including two three point baskets.  Sammy Friday IV recorded seven points and eight rebounds.  6-6 Sr. Jordan Skipper-Brown added seven points, four rebounds, and three steals.  Junior Farquhar also tallied seven points.

Eastern Illinois University,36,25,61

Eastern Kentucky University,43,26,69

Eastern Illinois University (61) – Johnson 9, Dixon 12, Friday IV 7, Smith 8, Farquhar 7, Charles 2, Skipper-Brown 7, Abraham 9.

Eastern Kentucky University (69) – Faye 0, Blanton 7, Balogun 2, Cruickshank 8, Hobbs 0, King 22, Lewis 9, Robb 9, Green Jr. 9, Moreno 3.

A special thanks to the Eastern Kentucky University Stats Crew for providing the comprehensive statistics for tonight’s game.