Comebacks – Spoonball Style

Eastern Illinois’ Improbable Twin Comebacks

(St. Louis, MO) – No one could have predicted Eastern Illinois’ improbable twin comebacks last week. Least of all, coach Jay Spoonhour. Now in his eighth season at the Panther helm, Spoonhour’s team made dramatic comebacks against the Ohio Valley Conference’s top two teams in one, three day span.

Trailing by 27 points with 11:45 to play against Murray State, the Panthers had a .2% of winning. No team, in the history of college basketball had done so. Leading scorer Josiah Wallace was having an off night and the Panthers were getting crushed on their home floor. EIU won by a score of 63-60.

Spoonhour says Murray State was playing great defense and making shots and there was no indication that EIU had a comeback in store. In fact, ‘Spoon’ says it was very late in the game before he realized his team had a chance to win.

 

 

Two days later, first place Austin Peay visited Lantz Arena and led by 13 with eleven minutes to play. EIU worked their magic once again, and won their second of improbable twin comebacks. They needed overtime to defeat the Governors 83-80.

While trailing by less than the previous game at a similar time, Spoonhour joked with his team, that this comeback would be a lot easier.

 

 

Wallace & Dixon Led the Charge

Wallace struggled early in the Murray State game, but found his rhythm late. The 6’4 junior scored 23 points against Austin Peay, including six points in the overtime session. Wallace leads the Panthers and is fourth in the OVC scoring race with a 19.4 points per game average.

The Olney College transfer had such a poor start against MSU that Spoonhour took him out of the game. Spoonhour says Wallace is tough to guard and once he put him back in that game, he simply took over.

 

 

George Dixon is the OVC’s second leading rebounder (9.1 per game) and joined Wallace as two of the three OVC weekly award winners. Dixon scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds against Murray and added 14 points and 11 rebounds against APSU. The Austin Peay double-double was his tenth of the season.

Spoonhour says the Panthers are small but have found a way to block shots and rebound and that Dixon is a guy that plays tough and plays hard.

 

 

What’s Next?

EIU finishes the regular season on the road at Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois Edwardsville. These are critical games. The Panthers (14-14, 7-9) likely need a win or two to qualify for the OVC postseason tournament.

For our entire interview with coach Spoonhour head to Valley Hoops Insider Podcast. The dean of the OVC coaches talks about his team, baseball, his relationship with Saint Louis University Billikens’ broadcaster Bob Ramsey and much more. You’ll enjoy our conversation.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo courtesy of eiupanthers.com.