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ATHENS, Ohio – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s basketball team will play three of its next four games on the road, beginning with Ohio on Thursday night at the Convocation Center. Tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

EKU (5-3), which currently sits atop the Ohio Valley Conference East standings, won the 2012 Comfort Suites Invitational at McBrayer Arena last weekend, defeating Presbyterian College, 61-43, on Friday and Jackson State, 64-56, on Saturday. Senior Alex Jones posted double-doubles in both wins en route to being named the tournament MVP. Fellow senior Raechele Gray was also named to the all-tournament team after knocking down three key three-pointers down the stretch to help EKU pull away from Jackson State in the championship game.

Seniors Jade Barber and Brittany Coles have also played large roles in the Lady Colonels’ early-season success. Barber leads the OVC in field goal percentage (.643) and blocked shots (2.8 bpg), while ranking second in the league in rebounds (10.5 rpg). Coles, meanwhile, is second on the team in scoring (10.3 ppg) and assists (2.8 apg) and third on the team in rebounds (5.4 rpg).

Ohio (1-5) won its season-opener over Cleveland State but has since dropped five straight, including a 65-53 loss to Detroit at home on Sunday. Shavon Robinson leads the Bobcats with 10.2 points per game, while Kiyanna Black averages 9.5 points per game.

EKU has already defeated two Mid-American Conference teams this season, including preseason MAC East favorite Miami (Ohio), 73-63, on Nov. 9. Ohio was picked to finish fourth in the MAC East this preseason.

Despite their relative proximity, this is only the fourth time EKU and Ohio have met on the hardwood and the first time in nearly a quarter of a century. Ohio won the last meeting, 82-71, on Dec. 12, 1987 in Richmond. EKU, however, leads the overall series, 3-1.

Following Thursday’s game, the Lady Colonels return to action on Sunday when they travel to face Cincinnati in the Queen City at 2:00 p.m.