CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team has a chance to earn its fifth straight victory Saturday evening when the Colonels visit Eastern Illinois. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. ET.

It has been a little more than two years since the Colonels (18-8, 10-4 OVC) have won five consecutive games. During the current four-game winning streak, EKU has held the opposition to just 59.2 points per game. A victory over Eastern Illinois combined with a Jacksonville State loss to Murray State Saturday would ensure the Colonels a top-four seed in the upcoming OVC tournament.

Eastern Illinois (13-11, 7-7) is 5-1 at home against OVC opponents following a 76-75 win over Morehead State Thursday night. Freshman James Hollowell netted a career-high 23 points while EIU finished 21-of-22 (95.5 percent) from the free throw line against the Eagles. The Panthers have the second best field goal percentage defense in the league (41.0 percent). Meanwhile, junior Tyler Laser averages a team-high 14.1 ppg.

The Colonels have won four of the last five meetings at Eastern Illinois. However, EIU held Eastern Kentucky to a season-low 48 points in the 58-48 loss in Charleston last season. Eastern Kentucky shot 56.3 percent (27-of-48) from the floor in the earlier meeting against Eastern Illinois, marking the highest shooting percentage of any opponent against EIU this year. EKU leads the all-time series by a count of 16-11.

Following the Eastern Illinois game, Eastern Kentucky finishes its three-game road swing Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Morehead State.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Game Notes
--Click here for game notes!

Television
--None

Video Streaming
--Saturday’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
--Saturday’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 Eastern Illinois ticket office at (217) 581-2106

Directions
--Click here for directions to Eastern Illinois University.

Storylines
--Freshman Willie Cruz hauled in a personal-high seven rebounds in the win over Southeast Missouri Thursday night. Eastern Kentucky finished with a season-high 34 rebounds in the 59-56 victory.

--Junior Spencer Perrin played his first two years of collegiate basketball right down the road from Eastern Illinois at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill. Perrin is the team’s leading rebounder at 5.4 rpg.