Eastern’s men’s basketball team has the chance to win its fourth straight game at Lantz Arena so far this season, as the Stony Brook University comes to Charleston.

The Panthers are coming off an exciting 85-80 overtime win against solid opponent University of Maine.

Senior guard Jeremy Granger said that win will help the Panthers moving forward.

“(The win) definitely boosts our confidence,” Granger said. “Hopefully we carry this over, but (the win) does a lot for our team.”

Sophomore forward Alfonzo McKinnie agreed with Granger, saying the team played well against a good team and the Panthers learned a lot about themselves.

“Don’t give up,” McKinnie said. “We just have to move on to the next play.”

Stony Brook enters the game at 2-3; however, two of its three losses have come against Big 10 opponents Indiana and Northwestern. Eastern enters the game at 4-2.

The Sea Wolves are led by seniors guard Bryan Dougher and forward Dallis Joyner. Dougher and Joyner are the only two Sea Wolves who average double-figures in scoring. Both players lead the team with 10.2 points per game.

Dougher provides an outside threat, as he has made nine threes in the first five games. He is also shooting 80 percent from the free-throw line.

Joyner gives Stony Brook a presence in the frontcourt. The 6-foot-7-inch forward is shooting 57 percent from the field and is averaging 5.8 rebounds per game.

Do-everything swingman, junior Tommy Brenton, is the catalyst for the Sea Wolves. He leads the team in rebounding, assists and free-throw attempts. The 6-foot-5-inch guard/forward is averaging 8.2 rebounds and four assists per game; however, his has only made 50 percent of his team-leading 26 free-throw attempts.

The Panthers offense has been clicking the last three games. They have scored over 80 points in each match-up, although two of the games went into overtime. Eastern ranks No. 25 in the nation with 16.7 assists per game.

The offense is fueled by Granger, who leads the team with 17 points per game. He is also averaging 3.8 rebounds, four assists and one steal per game. McKinnie gives the Panthers their own presence in the paint. The sophomore is averaging 13.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday in Lantz Arena.

Rob Mortell can bereached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu.