Leatherneck Nation

Battle for the Old Railsplitter Axe: Saturday at 7PM at Western Hall.

The sides of the handle are painted Blue on one side and Purple on the other side. The axe head is painted gray, and both logos are painted on it. The Old Railsplitter Axe is the travel trophy for the Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois men's basketball games.

https://jg-tc.com/sports/basketball/eiu ... 92c2e.html

I really wish we could have these "rivalry" games after the first of the year when interest in basketball kicks in. There is usually a week in late January or February when you get a week off from conference play. This year, we have Saturday Feb 9 as an open date. I know it would take coordination between the OVC and Summit to make it happen, but with these games during "Dead Week", that is basically what it ends up being. I have been there for one of these. It is shocking how quiet Western Hall is this time of year with holidays and finals coming up.

Unbelievable, WIU was up 49-33 and EIU goes on a 19-0 run, to go up 52-49. 2 games in a row WIU lets the other team go on a huge run after having a big lead.

Embarrassing, up 49-33 and lose 76-65 on your home court. EIU went on a 43-16 run to end the game.

No concept of team offense other than find someone open on the perimeter and pray it goes in. I dont believe Billy called a timeout during that big EIU run. He waits until a minute and half left to put on the full court press and extended the game by 15 minutes of garbage time. From the 15 minute mark until garbage time kicked in, I think we scored about 3 points. Embarrassing effort from all parties concerned.

No reason to complain. I’m pretty sure Billy isn’t coming on here and saying wow maybe I should change something. Been doing the same thing his entire time here foolish to think he’s going to change now. Athletics is fine with us being in the basement every year so they don’t have to pay for a real coach.

Almost unbelievable. Almost. I lied. Not really. Conference season should be great.

I’d say the first half of the creighton game was the peak of their season.

Eastern Illinois won the game 74-67. Eastern keeps the Old Railsplitter for another year.

Western had a 16 point lead (49-33) with 15 minutes left in the game. But Eastern out-scored Western 45-29 in the second half.

Kobe Webster led the Western scoring with 17 points. Ben Pyle had 16. C.J. Duff had 13.

Western was 13 for 27 (48%) on three-pointers.

Attendance at Western Hall = 522.

Next game will be at IUPUI on December 15.

WIU lead slips away.
From the Burlington Hawk-Eye:
https://www.thehawkeye.com/sports/20181 ... slips-away