OPENING TIP: Tennessee State picked up its first road win of the conference season in Evansville, Indiana, defeating Southern Indiana 80-76. The win cushions TSU with a two-game advantage for seventh place in the league and a game behind SIUE, Southern Indiana, and Tennessee Tech for fourth place.

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN: TSU expanded its partnership with Cromwell Media, naming 102.1 FM The Ville as the flagship TSU men's basketball station. "The Voice of the Tigers" Greg Pogue returns for his 11th season behind the mic and will be reunited with his longtime partner Albert Dawson. The pregame show will begin 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the contest not the actual tip time in doubleheader situations. The action can also be heard on the TSU Tigers app.

The Matchup: Tennessee State Tigers (13-11 5-6 OVC) at Eastern Illinois Panthers (7-17, 3-8 OVC)
Date/Time: Saturday, February 4 at 3:30 p.m. CT (approx 25 minutes after the WBB game)
Location: Lantz Arena || Charleston, Ill.
TV:  ESPN+
Radio: 102.1 FM The Ville — Greg Pogue (pxp), Albert Dawson (analyst)
LIVE STATS

EASTERN ILLINOIS SERIES INFORMATION: Thursday is the 62nd all-time meeting between TSU and Eastern Illinois with the Tigers holding a 34-26 mark over the Panthers. TSU is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings against EIU. TSU took the first meeting this season, a 78-74 win at the Gentry Center on Jan. 19. Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. led the Tigers with 26 points and knocked down all 13 free throws. Jr. Clay added 18 points as the Tigers knocked down 24-of-28 from the line. EIU was led by Kinyon Hodges with 22 points. TSU held a 20-point lead at the half, but the Panthers erased the lead to single digits midway through the final frame. Hodges cut the score to three (77-74) with four seconds left on a three-pointer but Clay knocked down one of two from the line to clinch the victory. 

SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers are riding a five-game losing streak entering Saturday's contest. The Panthers dropped an 80-67 decision to Lindenwood on Thursday. Kinyon Hodges leads EIU in points averaging 13.8 per night. Hodges was stymied last game with two points in 24 minutes against Lindenwood. Before that, Hodges finished with 20+ points in three straight games. Yaakema Rose Jr. leads the offense in assists per game (3.5) and is second in scoring at 9.5. Rose did not score and played three minutes.

CLAY DOUBLE-DOUBLE A RARE FEAT: Jr. Clay finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the win over Southern Indiana. Since 2010-11, Clay is one of seven TSU guards to reach a double-double with points and rebounds. Clay and Carlos Marshall vs. Fisk last season were the closest to reach triple-double status. Tahjere McCall (3), Kennedy Eubanks, Darreon Reddick, and Jordan Reed (2) during their time at TSU. Since 2010, TSU is 10-3 when hitting 13 or more threes in a game with Coach Collins winning 10 of 12 games.

MAKUOI STOPS USI BIG GUY: Adong Makuoi held Southern Indiana big guy Jacob Polakovich to seven points and seven rebounds while forcing him into early foul trouble. Polakovich, the OVC Co-Player of the Week, averaged 16.0 points and 22.0 rebounds last week. Makuoi had 10 points and seven rebounds against USI.