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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team will open Ohio Valley Conference play on Saturday by hosting the Austin Peay Lady Govs at McBrayer Arena at 4:00 p.m.
 
EKU enters 2015 with a record of 5-5. The Colonels last played on December 22, losing at home to Richmond, 70-56.
 
Sophomore Michaela Hunter leads EKU and ranks ninth in the OVC in scoring at 14.2 points-per-game. The versatile Hunter also averages 6.4 rebounds-per-game, leads the conference in free throw percentage (91.3) and ranks second in three-point field goal percentage (40.5).
 
Junior Shameekia Murray has also come on strong just in time for conference play. The transfer from South Georgia Technical College was voted the OVC Newcomer of the Week on December 24 after averaging 18.5 points-per-game in games versus Alabama A&M and Richmond. Murray is currently second on the team at 10.5 points-per-game and ranks ninth in the conference in field goal percentage (46.5).
 
APSU enters the OVC schedule with a record of 3-10 following a 63-54 loss on Tuesday to Central Arkansas, a team EKU beat in the second game of the season.
 
The Lady Govs are led by high-scoring guard Tiasha Gray, who leads the OVC at 20.7 points-per-game  and 3.6 steals-per-game and ranks second at 6.3 assists-per-game.
 
Statistically, the game promises to be a matchup of offense versus defense. APSU ranks second in the league in scoring offense (71.8 points-per-game) and field goal percentage (41.0). EKU, conversely, leads the OVC in field goal percentage defense (36.9) and ranks second in scoring defense (61.1 points-per-game).
 
EKU is 47-29 all-time versus APSU and has won three straight in the series. The Colonels defeated the Lady Govs, 79-71, last year in Clarksville. Hunter scored a then-career-high 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds in that game.

Eastern is 5-1 in OVC openers under head coach Chrissy Roberts.
 
Following Saturday's game, Eastern will go on the road to face defending conference champion UT Martin (January 8) and Southeast Missouri (January 10).