Eastern Kentucky Colonels Defeat Eastern Illinois Panthers 68-59
Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 8:00 PM ET · Groniger Arena
Eastern Kentucky Colonels 68, Eastern Illinois Panthers 59, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs Eastern Illinois Panthers?
Eastern Kentucky Colonels beat Eastern Illinois Panthers 68-59 at Groniger Arena on December 10, 2025.
Who was favored in Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs Eastern Illinois Panthers?
Eastern Kentucky Colonels were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -270 (about 73% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Eastern Kentucky Colonels secured a 68-59 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Groniger Arena. This game was particularly significant as it marked the second meeting between the two teams this season, following a previous encounter where Eastern Kentucky also emerged victorious with a score of 81-66 on December 15, 2024.
Both teams entered the game with struggling records, with Eastern Illinois holding a 2-7 record and Eastern Kentucky at 3-7. The Panthers have had a challenging season, and their recent form reflects this struggle. Over their last ten games, they have managed a record of 3-6-1, with their most recent game resulting in a loss against the Lindenwood Lions, where they fell 74-82. The Panthers have averaged 57.0 points scored per game while allowing 68.0 points, indicating their difficulties in both offense and defense. At home, they have a record of 3-1, but their away performance has been particularly poor, with an away record of 0-5.
On the other hand, the Colonels have shown a slight improvement in their recent performances, with a record of 2-8 over their last ten games. They are currently on a one-game winning streak after defeating IU East 122-67 in their most recent outing. Eastern Kentucky's scoring average stands at 83.9 points per game, with an average of 82.6 points allowed. Their home record is 2-3, but they have struggled on the road, holding an away record of 0-5.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any key players missing from either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this matchup. This aspect can often play a crucial role in determining the outcome of games, particularly in close contests.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Eastern Kentucky favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 149.5. The odds indicated a money line of +220 for Eastern Illinois and -270 for Eastern Kentucky, reflecting the Colonels' status as the expected winners.
Conditions during the game were typical for a basketball matchup, with no unusual weather or venue-related factors mentioned. This allowed both teams to focus solely on their performance on the court.
Throughout the game, viewers could observe key moments that shaped the outcome. In the second half, Meechie White made a significant layup to extend the Colonels' lead to 62-55, followed by a layup from Zion Fruster, making it 62-57. Yvens Paul then contributed with another layup, pushing the score to 64-57. Free throws from Juan Cranford Jr. and Turner Buttry further solidified Eastern Kentucky's lead, ultimately leading to their victory.
In conclusion, the Eastern Kentucky Colonels' win over the Eastern Illinois Panthers not only adds to their season tally but also highlights their ability to perform under pressure, particularly after a strong offensive showing in their last game. Meanwhile, Eastern Illinois will need to regroup and address their scoring issues as they continue their season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | EKU -6.5 | 149.5 o -108 / u -112 | Eastern Kentucky Colonels -270 · Eastern Illinois Panthers +220 |
Leaders
- PointsZion Fruster16Eastern Illinois Panthers
- AssistsMeechie White5Eastern Illinois Panthers
- ReboundsZion Fruster5Eastern Illinois Panthers
- PointsJuan Cranford Jr.14Eastern Kentucky Colonels
- AssistsMontavious Myrick4Eastern Kentucky Colonels
- ReboundsMontavious Myrick9Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Recent form
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Last 10: 3-6-1Streak L157 scored · 68 allowed per game3-1 at home
- L74-82vs Lindenwood LionsDec 7
- D0-0vs Blackburn BeaversDec 2
- L62-109at Purdue BoilermakersNov 28
- L60-81at Central Arkansas BearsNov 26
- W62-50vs Tiffin DragonsNov 20
- L53-99at Kentucky WildcatsNov 15
- L58-78at Notre Dame Fighting IrishNov 12
- W65-57vs Nicholls ColonelsNov 8
- L63-66at Valparaiso BeaconsNov 5
- W73-58vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksMar 1
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Last 10: 2-8Streak W183.9 scored · 82.6 allowed per game0-5 away
- W122-67vs IU East IU EASTDec 6
- L78-89at Illinois State RedbirdsDec 4
- L77-83vs Wofford TerriersNov 29
- L71-82at Northern Kentucky NorseNov 25
- L83-95vs Mercer BearsNov 22
- L78-93at Kent State Golden FlashesNov 19
- L62-92at Vanderbilt CommodoresNov 13
- L79-87vs Western Kentucky HilltoppersNov 11
- W122-60vs Midway EaglesNov 7
- L67-78at Jacksonville DolphinsMar 4
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley | 25-9 | - | 14-4 |
| California Baptist | 25-9 | 1 | 13-5 |
| Utah Tech | 19-15 | 2 | 11-7 |
| UT Arlington | 18-14 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Southern Utah | 10-22 | 7 | 6-12 |
| Tarleton State | 14-18 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-19 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Tennessee State | 23-10 | - | 15-5 |
| Morehead State | 20-13 | - | 15-5 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 20-13 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UT Martin | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 19-13 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Lindenwood | 18-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Little Rock | 12-20 | 6 | 9-11 |
| Tennessee Tech | 13-18 | 6 | 8-12 |
| Eastern Illinois | 13-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Southern Indiana | 7-23 | 11 | 4-16 |
| Western Illinois | 5-26 | 14 | 1-19 |
Box score
| Stat | Eastern Kentucky Colonels | Eastern Illinois Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-57 | 21-53 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 40 |
| Three-pointers | 8-32 | 5-15 |
| Three-point % | 25 | 33 |
| Free throws | 12-13 | 12-14 |
| Free throw % | 92 | 86 |
| Rebounds | 37 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 22 |
| Assists | 17 | 14 |
| Steals | 4 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 17 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 13 |
| Points in the paint | 24 | 30 |
| Fouls | 13 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 15 | 1 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 80 | 6 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half32-32Juan Cranford Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half33-32Juan Cranford Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half33-34Kooper Jacobi made Jumper.
- 2nd Half35-34Austin Ball made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half38-34Austin Ball made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by MJ Williams.
- 2nd Half40-34Montavious Myrick made Jumper. Assisted by Juan Cranford Jr..
- 2nd Half43-34Jackson Holt made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Montavious Myrick.
- 2nd Half43-37Meechie White made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Andre Washington.
- 2nd Half45-37Yvens Paul made Dunk. Assisted by Turner Buttry.
- 2nd Half45-39Andre Washington made Layup. Assisted by Meechie White.
- 2nd Half46-39Turner Buttry made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half47-39Turner Buttry made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half48-39Turner Buttry made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half50-39Yvens Paul made Layup. Assisted by Turner Buttry.
- 2nd Half52-39Montavious Myrick made Layup.
- 2nd Half52-41Zion Fruster made Layup. Assisted by Andrew Austin.
- 2nd Half55-41Turner Buttry made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jayden Harris.
- 2nd Half55-42Meechie White made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half57-42Jayden Harris made Jumper. Assisted by Jackson Holt.
- 2nd Half57-44Andre Washington made Layup. Assisted by Andrew Austin.
- 2nd Half57-46Zion Fruster made Layup. Assisted by Andrew Austin.
- 2nd Half57-47Zion Fruster made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half57-48Zion Fruster made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half58-48MJ Williams made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half59-48MJ Williams made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half61-48Juan Cranford Jr. made Layup.
- 2nd Half62-48Juan Cranford Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half62-49Meechie White made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half62-50Meechie White made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half62-51Zion Fruster made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half62-52Zion Fruster made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half62-53Kooper Jacobi made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half62-55Meechie White made Layup.
- 2nd Half62-57Zion Fruster made Layup. Assisted by Meechie White.
- 2nd Half64-57Yvens Paul made Layup. Assisted by Montavious Myrick.
- 2nd Half65-57Juan Cranford Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-57Juan Cranford Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half67-57Turner Buttry made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-57Turner Buttry made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-59Preston Turner made Dunk. Assisted by Zion Fruster.
Win probability
Above the line favours Eastern Illinois Panthers, below favours Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
Venue
- Groniger ArenaCharleston, IL
- Attendance1031
- OfficialsKevin Mathis, Cody Crum, Chris Duprey
Elsewhere
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- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond