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Eagles land at Hanner
GSU men host Winston-Salem State in home opener tonight
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Georgia Southern's Louis Graham moved into first place on the school’s career blocks list (114) last Friday at Illinois. Above, Graham goes to the basket as Illinois' Trent Meacham defends during the second half in Champaign, Ill. - photo by Associated Press
   The Eagles will try to snap a two-game skid when they open their home schedule today against Winston-Salem State. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at Hanner Fieldhouse.
    Georgia Southern enters the game with a 1-2 record and are coming off an 85-50 loss at Illinois on Nov. 17. WSSU is currently 1-6 and has lost three games in a row.
    Hanner Fieldhouse is a welcome sight for GSU as the team has won 35 of its last 37 home games and has emerged victorious in 18 straight non-conference contests at Hanner, dating back to the 2002-03 season.
    Another streak Georgia Southern hopes to continue is the run of 25 straight home-opening wins that goes all the way back to 1980. Under head coach Jeff Price, the Eagles are averaging 93.9 points in seven victories and have scored no fewer than 92 in the last four openers, starting with a 112-85 win over North Georgia in 2002.
    The two schools have not met previously, though Price has a 1-0 record against the Rams in his coaching career.
    After putting up 116 points against UC Davis to begin the season, the Eagles have not broken the 100-point barrier in their last two games combined against two teams (Duke and Illinois) that are known for their defense.
    The going should be a little easier against Winston-Salem State who is giving up 75.4 points per contest, including an average of 90 ppg in its last three outings, all road losses. The Rams are playing away from home for the seventh time in eight games and are 0-6 in those contests. WSSU’s lone win came against Division II Anderson (S.C.) on Nov. 14.
    In last Friday’s loss to the Fighting Illini, junior Louis Graham moved into first place all-time at GSU in career blocks with 114. Graham tied Kashien Latham (1998-02) at the top in the season-opener vs. UC Davis with five, which is tied for second in a single-game.
    Graham currently tops the squad in rebounding at 7.3 rpg and is third in scoring averaging 9.3 per contest.
    Hitting double figures for the second time in three games last Friday was senior Jimmy Tobias who posted a team-high 10 points while grabbing five rebounds. Tobias is one of five Eagles averaging nine points per game or better and is shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.