RICHMOND, Ky. – The Battle of the Bluegrass returns to the hardwood Tuesday night at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green. The Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team will face rival Western Kentucky for the 156
th time at 8:00 p.m. ET.
WHAT TO KNOWTV: Fox College Sports (DirecTV Channel 608) I Live Stats I Live Audio I Game Notes I Live Tweets - EKU is on a five-game winning streak after defeating Southern Utah, 98-85, on Saturday.
- Freshman
Nick Mayo was named the OVC Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week on Monday. He averaged 19.5 points-per-game and 4.0 rebounds-per-game in two EKU wins last week.
- EKU is sixth in the country in scoring offense at 93.7 points-per-game. The Colonels are averaging 100 points-per-game in their six home games.
- EKU ranks second in the country in field goal percentage (54.7) and third in the country in three-point field goal percentage (45.3).
- The Colonels have scored over 100 points three times in seven games this season. The last time EKU scored 100 points or more three times in a season was 2003. The last time the feat was achieved four times in a season was 1987.
- Senior
Jarelle Reischel and junior
JaVontae Hawkins have been a potent 1-2 punch for EKU early in the season. Reischel – a transfer from Rhode Island – is averaging 19.6 points-per-game, 8.0 rebounds-per-game and 3.3 assists-per-game, while Hawkins – a transfer from South Florida – is averaging 19.4 points-per-game, 4.3 rebounds-per-game and 3.1 assists-per-game. Both are shooting above 50 percent from both the field and from behind the arc.
- EKU (6-1) and WKU (3-3) have not played since December 8, 2007 in Richmond. WKU won that game, 77-60.
- WKU leads the all-time series, 112-43. The Hilltoppers have won 12 straight over the Colonels. EKU will be seeking its first win over Western Kentucky since January 7, 1987 and its first win over Western Kentucky in Bowling Green since February 6, 1978.
- Sophomore Justin Johnson has paced WKU so far this season. The native of Hazard, Kentucky is averaging 16.0 points-per-game and 8.2 rebounds-per-game.
UP NEXTFollowing Tuesday night's showdown in Bowling Green, the Colonels travel to Savannah to face Savannah State on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET. In all, six of EKU's next seven games will be played on the road.
