Panthers Edge Leathernecks in Close Contest
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 8:30 PM ET · Groniger Arena
Eastern Illinois Panthers 57, Western Illinois Leathernecks 55, 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 Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Eastern Illinois Panthers?
Eastern Illinois Panthers beat Western Illinois Leathernecks 57-55 at Groniger Arena on January 13, 2026.
Who was favored in Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Eastern Illinois Panthers?
Eastern Illinois Panthers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -310 (about 76% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Eastern Illinois Panthers narrowly defeated the Western Illinois Leathernecks 57-55 at Groniger Arena. This game was notable as both teams have struggled throughout the season, with Eastern Illinois holding a home record of 7-10 and Western Illinois at 4-14 overall. The Panthers have been on a slight upswing, winning their last two games, while the Leathernecks are mired in a six-game losing streak.
Eastern Illinois has shown some resilience at home, with a recent record of 4-5-1 in their last ten games, averaging 63.7 points scored and allowing 62.0 points per game. Their last five games have seen them average 75.0 points while allowing 64.0, indicating a recent improvement in offensive output. In contrast, Western Illinois has struggled significantly, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games and an alarming average of 66.2 points scored against 74.1 points allowed. Their last five games have been particularly concerning, as they have not won, averaging only 58.6 points while giving up 71.0.
The Panthers' home record stands at 4-2 in their last six home games, while the Leathernecks have only managed one win in their last five away games, highlighting the disparity in their performances at home versus away. In their previous meetings this season, the teams split their two encounters, with Eastern Illinois winning 71-59 on January 31 and losing 67-75 on January 4.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any current injuries affecting either team, which suggests that both squads were at full strength for this matchup. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Eastern Illinois favored by 6.5 points with a total set at 132.5, indicating expectations for a low-scoring affair given both teams' recent scoring struggles.
The conditions in Groniger Arena were conducive to basketball, with no adverse weather conditions reported. As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a tense second half, where scoring was hard-fought. Key moments included free throws from Terry McMorris and Antwaun Massey, which kept the game close. Zion Fruster made crucial plays for the Panthers, including a dunk and two free throws that helped secure their lead.
Ultimately, Eastern Illinois' ability to capitalize on critical scoring opportunities, particularly in the final moments, proved decisive in their victory. The Panthers' win probability was recorded at 1.0 by the end of the game, underscoring their control over the match despite the narrow margin.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | EIU -6.5 | 132.5 o -108 / u -112 | Western Illinois Leathernecks +250 · Eastern Illinois Panthers -310 |
Leaders
- PointsTerry McMorris12Eastern Illinois Panthers
- AssistsZion Fruster4Eastern Illinois Panthers
- ReboundsKooper Jacobi10Eastern Illinois Panthers
- PointsKaryiek Dixon14Western Illinois Leathernecks
- AssistsMakai Kvamme5Western Illinois Leathernecks
- ReboundsKaryiek Dixon15Western Illinois Leathernecks
Recent form
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Last 10: 4-5-1Streak W263.7 scored · 62 allowed per game4-2 at home
- W74-70vs Tennessee State TigersJan 10
- W71-61vs Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesJan 9
- L61-65at UT Martin SkyhawksJan 3
- L59-68at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 2
- W110-56vs East West PhantomsDec 22
- W76-72vs SIU Edwardsville CougarsDec 18
- L53-78at Iowa State CyclonesDec 14
- L59-68vs Eastern Kentucky ColonelsDec 11
- L74-82vs Lindenwood LionsDec 7
- D0-0vs Blackburn BeaversDec 2
Western Illinois Leathernecks
Last 10: 3-7Streak L666.2 scored · 74.1 allowed per game1-4 away
- L54-59vs Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesJan 10
- L68-90vs Tennessee State TigersJan 9
- L50-73at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 3
- L60-67at UT Martin SkyhawksJan 1
- L61-66vs SIU Edwardsville CougarsDec 22
- L76-92at Lindenwood LionsDec 19
- W69-66at North Dakota Fighting HawksDec 13
- W78-47vs Hannibal LaGrange TrojansDec 6
- L57-108at Drake BulldogsDec 3
- W89-73vs St. Ambrose Fighting BeesNov 30
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Western Illinois Leathernecks | Eastern Illinois Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 19-60 | 19-51 |
| Field goal % | 32 | 37 |
| Three-pointers | 2-15 | 1-9 |
| Three-point % | 13 | 11 |
| Free throws | 15-18 | 18-23 |
| Free throw % | 83 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 40 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 14 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 27 |
| Assists | 10 | 11 |
| Steals | 7 | 8 |
| Blocks | 4 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 18 | 16 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 17 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 34 |
| Fouls | 18 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 1 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 7 | 89 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half26-31Kooper Jacobi makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half26-32Kooper Jacobi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half26-34Terry McMorris makes layup (Kooper Jacobi assists)
- 2nd Half29-34Francis Okwuosah makes 29-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Griffin assists)
- 2nd Half29-36Nazareth Fisher makes layup (Kooper Jacobi assists)
- 2nd Half31-36Lucas Lorenzen makes layup
- 2nd Half33-36Goanar Biliew makes layup (Makai Kvamme assists)
- 2nd Half34-36Goanar Biliew makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half34-37Preston Turner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half34-38Preston Turner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half34-40Terry McMorris makes layup
- 2nd Half36-40Isaiah Griffin makes 7-foot hook shot (Karyiek Dixon assists)
- 2nd Half36-42Terry McMorris makes layup (Zion Fruster assists)
- 2nd Half37-42Isaiah Griffin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-42Isaiah Griffin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-44Malik Olafioye makes 14-foot jumper (Terry McMorris assists)
- 2nd Half38-45Malik Olafioye makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half38-46Kooper Jacobi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-47Kooper Jacobi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-47Lucas Lorenzen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-47Lucas Lorenzen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-47Karyiek Dixon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-47Karyiek Dixon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-49Zion Fruster makes driving layup
- 2nd Half42-50Preston Turner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-51Preston Turner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-51Karyiek Dixon makes layup (Makai Kvamme assists)
- 2nd Half45-51Karyiek Dixon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-51Karyiek Dixon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-51Antwaun Massey makes layup (Makai Kvamme assists)
- 2nd Half49-51Antwaun Massey makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half49-52Terry McMorris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-53Terry McMorris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-53Antwaun Massey makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-53Antwaun Massey makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-55Zion Fruster makes 4-foot dunk (Terry McMorris assists)
- 2nd Half53-55Lucas Lorenzen makes layup
- 2nd Half53-56Zion Fruster makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-57Zion Fruster makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-57Karyiek Dixon makes 9-foot jumper
Win probability
Above the line favours Eastern Illinois Panthers, below favours Western Illinois Leathernecks.
Venue
- Groniger ArenaCharleston, IL
- Attendance1324
- OfficialsSteve Honacki, James Curran, Connor Mooney
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- 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