Eastern Illinois Tops Little Rock in Close Contest
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 4:30 PM ET · Groniger Arena
Eastern Illinois Panthers 78, Little Rock Trojans 72, 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 Little Rock Trojans vs Eastern Illinois Panthers?
Eastern Illinois Panthers beat Little Rock Trojans 78-72 at Groniger Arena on February 14, 2026.
Who was favored in Little Rock Trojans vs Eastern Illinois Panthers?
Little Rock Trojans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -135 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup, the Eastern Illinois Panthers defeated the Little Rock Trojans 78-72 at Groniger Arena on February 14, 2026. This victory marked a significant moment for the Panthers, who improved their overall record to 12-16, while the Trojans fell to 10-18. The game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, particularly as they each aimed to enhance their standings in the NCAAB league.
The Panthers entered the contest with a record of 11-16, having gone 4-6 in their last ten games. They were on a one-game losing streak, having lost to the Western Illinois Leathernecks just three days prior with a score of 70-79. In that stretch, Eastern Illinois averaged 67.7 points scored while allowing 66.5 points per game. Their recent form included a notable win against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, where they secured a 60-54 victory on February 7.
Conversely, the Little Rock Trojans also had a record of 10-17, with a similar 4-6 record over their last ten games but coming off a win against the Western Illinois Leathernecks, where they triumphed 77-58. The Trojans averaged 71.1 points scored and allowed 70.6 points during this period. Their recent performances included losses to the SIU Edwardsville Cougars and the Lindenwood Lions, where they struggled to maintain consistency.
At home, the Panthers had a record of 2-2 in their last four games, while their away record stood at 2-4. The Trojans, on the other hand, had a home record of 2-2 and an away record of 2-4, indicating a balanced performance regardless of the venue.
In their previous meetings, Eastern Illinois had a slight edge with a record of 2-1-1 against Little Rock over the past two seasons. Their most recent encounter before this game was on January 16, 2026, where the Panthers fell to the Trojans 63-74. However, they had previously defeated Little Rock 71-60 in a home game on February 28, 2025.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences for either team, suggesting both sides were at full strength for this crucial matchup.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Little Rock favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 134.5. The moneyline odds reflected Little Rock at -135 and Eastern Illinois at +114, indicating a competitive atmosphere heading into the game.
The conditions at Groniger Arena were conducive to a strong performance, and both teams were eager to capitalize on the opportunity to secure a vital win. As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a display of skill and determination, with Eastern Illinois ultimately pulling ahead in the closing moments.
Key moments in the second half included critical free throws made by players such as Meechie White and Zion Fruster, which helped the Panthers maintain their lead. The final scoring plays saw Fruster converting two free throws, bringing the score to 78-72, sealing the victory for Eastern Illinois.
This game not only highlighted the resilience of the Panthers but also set the stage for what could be an exciting finish to the season for both teams. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the teams navigate their remaining schedules.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LR -2.5 | 134.5 o -115 / u -105 | Little Rock Trojans -135 · Eastern Illinois Panthers +114 |
Leaders
- PointsMeechie White19Eastern Illinois Panthers
- AssistsZion Fruster6Eastern Illinois Panthers
- ReboundsNazareth Fisher9Eastern Illinois Panthers
- PointsTruman Claytor IV17Little Rock Trojans
- AssistsBraxton Bayless6Little Rock Trojans
- ReboundsKachi Nzeh7Little Rock Trojans
Recent form
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Last 10: 4-6Streak L167.7 scored · 66.5 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L70-79at Western Illinois LeathernecksFeb 11
- W60-54at Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesFeb 7
- L68-77at Tennessee State TigersFeb 6
- L59-77vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 31
- L68-76vs UT Martin SkyhawksJan 30
- L68-73at Morehead State EaglesJan 24
- W59-51at Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 23
- W105-49vs Blackburn BeaversJan 18
- L63-74at Little Rock TrojansJan 16
- W57-55vs Western Illinois LeathernecksJan 14
Little Rock Trojans
Last 10: 4-6Streak W171.1 scored · 70.6 allowed per game2-4 away
- W77-58at Western Illinois LeathernecksFeb 13
- L61-71vs SIU Edwardsville CougarsFeb 7
- L74-79vs Lindenwood LionsFeb 6
- L52-55at UT Martin SkyhawksFeb 4
- L77-87at Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesJan 31
- L63-70at Tennessee State TigersJan 30
- L65-70at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 23
- W86-79vs Western Illinois LeathernecksJan 17
- W74-63vs Eastern Illinois PanthersJan 16
- W82-74at Lindenwood LionsJan 10
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 | Little Rock Trojans | Eastern Illinois Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-60 | 25-64 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 39 |
| Three-pointers | 7-18 | 6-16 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 38 |
| Free throws | 11-18 | 22-30 |
| Free throw % | 61 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 43 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 20 |
| Defensive rebounds | 21 | 23 |
| Assists | 16 | 13 |
| Steals | 4 | 7 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 20 |
| Fast-break points | 17 | 21 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 34 |
| Fouls | 20 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 9 | 9 |
| Time in front | 25 | 57 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half42-50Braxton Bayless makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-50Braxton Bayless makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-50Braxton Bayless makes 5-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half45-51Prince Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-52Prince Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-53Zion Fruster makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-53Truman Claytor IV makes 25-foot three point jumper (Johnathan Lawson assists)
- 2nd Half48-55Kooper Jacobi makes 12-foot floating jump shot (Meechie White assists)
- 2nd Half51-55Truman Claytor IV makes 26-foot three point jumper (Johnathan Lawson assists)
- 2nd Half53-55Johnathan Lawson makes 20-foot jumper
- 2nd Half55-55Kachi Nzeh makes 4-foot dunk (Cameron Wallace assists)
- 2nd Half55-56Kooper Jacobi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-56Kachi Nzeh makes 24-foot three point jumper (Braxton Bayless assists)
- 2nd Half60-56Braxton Bayless makes layup
- 2nd Half60-57Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-58Terry McMorris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-60Kooper Jacobi makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half61-60Johnathan Lawson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-62Zion Fruster makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half62-62Cameron Wallace makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-64Nazareth Fisher makes 4-foot hook shot (Markus Blackwell assists)
- 2nd Half64-64Cameron Wallace makes 5-foot alley oop dunk (Johnathan Lawson assists)
- 2nd Half64-66Nazareth Fisher makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half65-66Truman Claytor IV makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-66Truman Claytor IV makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-68Terry McMorris makes driving layup (Meechie White assists)
- 2nd Half66-70Meechie White makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-69Meechie White makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-71Meechie White makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-72Meechie White makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-73Terry McMorris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-73Johnathan Lawson makes 27-foot three point jumper (Braxton Bayless assists)
- 2nd Half69-74Meechie White makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-75Meechie White makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-75Johnathan Lawson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-75Johnathan Lawson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-76Zion Fruster makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-76Braxton Bayless makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-77Zion Fruster makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-78Zion Fruster makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Eastern Illinois Panthers, below favours Little Rock Trojans.
Venue
- Groniger ArenaCharleston, IL
- Attendance1214
- OfficialsDillon Brasher, Davis Maxwell, Cody Crum
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- 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