RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team begins conference play Thursday night at OVC rival Murray State. ESPNU will televise the game beginning at 7 p.m.

The EKU Department of Athletics will host a viewing party at Gillum’s Sports Lounge Thursday night. All Colonel fans are welcome to attend and cheer on the Maroons as they play on the big screen.

Eastern Kentucky (5-1, 0-0 OVC) enters conference play leading the league in three-point shooting (42.6 percent), three-pointers made per game (11.0) and turnover margin (+6.5). Eastern set an OVC single-season record with 320 three-pointers made in 2008-09. Over the last two games, EKU has averaged 48 points in the second half while shooting 62.7 percent (37-of-59) from the field.

Murray State (5-1, 0-0) has won five straight games after a season opening loss at nationally-ranked California. The Racers enter OVC action leading the league in scoring (84.8 ppg), scoring defense (58.8 ppg), field goal percentage (53.1), three-point field goal percentage defense (26.6) and rebounding margin (+9.3). Sophomore forward Ivan Aska averages 14.5 ppg while shooting 68 percent from the floor. Senior forward Tony Easley leads the team in rebounding (7.5 rpg).

The last three meetings at Murray State have been decided by a total of eight points. The Racers won the most recent meeting in overtime, 70-65, and lead the all-time series, 91-61.

Following the game at Murray State, Eastern Kentucky continues its road trip to UT Martin on Saturday, Dec. 5.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Game Notes
--Click here for game notes!

Television
--ESPNU

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

Live Stats
--Click here for live stats!

Tickets
--Tickets are available by calling the Murray State ticket office at (270) 809-4895.

Directions
--Click here for directions to Murray State University.

Storylines
--Eastern Kentucky is 35-26 all-time in OVC openers and has won five of its last seven league opening games. This is the fifth straight year Eastern Kentucky has opened OVC action against Murray State. EKU was picked fifth in the preseason OVC poll while the Racers were picked as the co-favorite along with Morehead State.

--Senior Papa Oppong finished with a career-high 21 points in the win over FIU on Nov. 28. The guard netted 5-of-7 (71.4 percent) three-point attempts to go along with personal highs in steals (four) and assists (three). Oppong’s previous career high in points (19) came against Murray State on Dec. 4, 2008.