Basketball Game Preview: East Alton-Wood River Oilers vs. Marquette Catholic Explorers

East Alton-Wood River is 0-8 against Marquette Catholic since January of 2015 but things could change on Monday. The East Alton-Wood River Oilers will head out on the road to square off against the Marquette Catholic Explorers at 6:00 p.m. Marquette Catholic took a loss in their last match and will be looking to turn the tables on East Alton-Wood River, who comes in off a win.

East Alton-Wood River is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They breezed past Dupo to the tune of 73-44 on Thursday. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Oilers have posted since January 18, 2024.

Jordyn Spiller

Field Goal Percentage (Career)

02/20/25 vs Dupo	73%
12/07/24 vs Maryville Christian	70%
02/11/25 @ Mt. Olive	50%
12/06/24 vs Columbia	44%
11/25/24 vs Centralia	44%

East Alton-Wood River got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Jordyn Spiller out in front who went 11-for-15 on his way to 29 points and seven rebounds. The dominant performance also gave Spiller a new career-high in shooting accuracy (73%). Another player making a difference was Tamarion Marshall, who dropped a double-double with 19 points and 11 boards.

Meanwhile, Marquette Catholic suffered their biggest defeat since January 10, 2024 on Friday. They had to suffer through a 52-19 loss at the hands of Breese Central. While losing is never fun, the Explorers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 303rd, while the Cougars are ranked 35th).

Marquette Catholic now has a losing record of 15-16. As for East Alton-Wood River, their victory bumped their record up to 4-27.

East Alton-Wood River suffered a grim 58-37 defeat to Marquette Catholic when the teams last played back in November of 2023. Can East Alton-Wood River avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.