TENNESSEE STATE (3-13, 2-11)
vs EASTERN ILLINOIS (6-14, 3-10)
Saturday, Feb. 6 | 4 p.m.
Lantz Arena | Charleston, Ill.

LIVE STATS: StatBroadcast
VIDEO: ESPN+
LISTEN: Big Blue Sports Network
SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter - @TSUTigersMBB
TICKETS: No fans allowed
 
GAMEDAY
Tennessee State men's basketball completes its road swing at Eastern Illinois in the Lantz Arena, Thursday, Feb. 6. Tip on ESPN+ and the Big Blue Sports Network is set for 4 p.m.
 
A victory on Tuesday would mark the 31st win for head coach Brian "Penny" Collins.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Tennessee State Tigers continued its road-swing at SIU-Edwardsville Thursday afternoon with a 68-60 loss in its first trip to the First Community Arena since 2018.  
 
Shakem Johnson returned to the court after a week hiatus with a career-high 30 point performance, adding nine rebounds. Mark Freeman registered his third-straight double-digit night with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
 
The Tigers recovered from an 11-0 Cougar run that left the team in a 13-point hole with just six minutes remaining in the half and entered the break down, 36-28.
 
In the hunt for its first road win, Big Blue used its size inside to put points on the board in the second period. Johnson scored 14 of his 30 points in the final 20 minutes, all in the paint. The final basket from the Tigers brought the team within six with 22 seconds left on the clock. The game was made at the free throw line with the final points made by SIUE's Adewunmi. 

LAST TIME OUT AGAINST THE PANTHERS
Big Blue garnered its second Ohio Valley Conference victory at home over Eastern Illinois, 65-54.
 
Marcus Fitzgerald, Jr. led the team in scoring with 15, while Yusuf Mohamed pulled down eight rebounds and Mason Green continued his blocking crusade with three.
 
The hidden weapon Tiger fans didn't know was hiding on the bench was freshman Evan Joyner. The 6-8 forward who had only played a total of 12 minutes all season scored a season-high six points, six rebounds in 17 minutes.  

ABOUT THE OPPONENT
The Panthers are coming off of a 28-point loss to Belmont Thursday evening in Lantz Arena, marking its 10^th loss in league play this season. EIU's three league victories were over SIUE, Murray State and Tennessee Tech. Two of the three wins were in Lantz Arena.
 
Josiah Wallace continues to lead the Panthers in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game, followed closely by Marvin Johnson with 13.4.
 
EIU averages 72.4 points and seven three-pointers per game.

SERIES BREAKDOWN

COVERAGE
Watch the game live on ESPN+. Live stats will be available on StatBroadcast. Follow along on social media @TSUTigersMBB on Twitter and Instagram.
 
UP NEXT
The mighty Tigers return home for four-straight games beginning with a visit from Morehead State, Thursday, Feb 11. Tip is set for 8 p.m. after the Lady Tigers' game.