CHARLESTON, Ill. – #T.J. Marion from men's basketball and Dominique Sims# from women's basketball have been named the Eastern Illinois student-athletes of the month for December 2008. Each month during the school year one male and one female student-athlete are recognized for their outstanding performance in their sport.

Marion, a junior guard from Aurora, Ill., helped the Panthers have a solid month opening Ohio Valley Conference play with a 1-1 record. Marion averaged 13.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while passing out a team high 30 assists. He also was credited with 8 steals and 3 blocked shots. He was named the OVC Newcomer of the Week twice during the month.

Sims, a junior guard from Wichita Falls, Texas helped EIU post a 4-2 record during the month opening OVC play with a 2-0 record. Sims averaged 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. She connected on 53 percent from the field and 53 percent from 3-point range. Sims was credited with 17 assists for the month.