RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team begins conference play Thursday night when rival Murray State visits McBrayer Arena. Tip time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Eastern Kentucky (4-2, 0-0 OVC) enters conference action leading the league in field goal percentage (50.9 percent) and three-point shooting (43 percent). The Colonels have shot at least 50 percent from the floor in four of the six games thus far.

Senior Mike Rose will make his 100th appearance in a Colonel jersey Thursday night. Rose is one of three players in the OVC currently averaging more than 20 points per game (20.2 ppg). He ranks 14th on the EKU all-time scoring chart with 1,265 points.

Murray State (4-1, 0-0 OVC) has won three straight games including an 89-61 thumping of Western Kentucky on Nov. 22. Preseason All-OVC pick Danero Thomas averages a team-best 12.4 ppg. Freshman forward Ivan Aska is second on the team in both scoring (11.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.2 rpg).

Eastern Kentucky has won five of its last six league openers. This is the fourth straight year EKU has opened OVC action against Murray State. The Colonels were picked seventh in the preseason OVC poll while the Racers were picked first.

Following the Murray State game, Eastern Kentucky is right back in action on Saturday, Dec. 6, in a home OVC game against UT Martin.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Game Notes
--Click here for game notes!

Television
--None

Video Streaming
--Thursday’s game can be seen on the web as part of OVCSports.tv. The cost is $5.95. Click here for live video stream!

Live Audio
--Thursday’s game can be heard locally on WCYO 100.7 FM and WEKU 88.9 FM. Click here for live radio broadcast!

Live Stats
--Click here for live stats!

Tickets
--Tickets are available by calling the EKU ticket office at 859-622-2122. The ticket box office will open at 4:30 p.m. Arena doors will open at 4:30 p.m., as well for the women’s contest.

Storylines
--Eastern Kentucky and Murray State enter Thursday’s game with the top two scoring defenses in the OVC. The Colonels allow 57.7 points per game while the Racers give up slightly more at 57.8 ppg.

--Jeff Neubauer will be coaching his 100th game as the EKU head coach Thursday night. Neubauer is 53-46 (.535) in four years on the Eastern bench.