RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's and women's basketball teams will host ancient rival Morehead State in a doubleheader on Saturday at McBrayer Arena.
The women's game will tip at 4:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday is a 'Maroon Out' at McBrayer Arena. FREE maroon t-shirts will be provided to students, while supplies last, courtesy of Raising Cane's!
Women's Preview
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WHAT TO KNOW
- The Colonels have lost two of their last three after Monday's 70-64 loss to Murray State.
- EKU (8-16, 5-6 OVC) is 6-4 at home this season and 3-1 in Ohio Valley Conference games.
- Four Colonels scored in double figures in Monday's loss, marking the second time this season.
-
Jalen O'Bannon (13.5 ppg),
Alexus Cooper (12.7 ppg), and
Shavontae Naylor (11.8 ppg) rank in the OVC's top-20 in scoring. Meanwhile, O'Bannon's 6.8 rebounds-per-game ranks 11
th in the league and Naylor's 6.0 rpg is 15
th. Naylor (47.4 percent) also ranks in the conference's top-20 in field goal percentage, while Cooper's (35.8 percent) average from deep is ninth in the OVC.
- The Colonels' defense ranks fifth in field goal percentage defense (41.2) and three point field goal percentage (31.3).
- Eastern Kentucky leads the all-time series, 49-43, over the Eagles. The Colonels have won two of the last three meetings, including both matchups last season.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
- Morehead State is 18-6 overall and 8-3 in OVC play. The Eagles have won four of their last five dating back to the 80-54 win over EKU on Jan. 21.
- Redshirt senior Brianna McQueen leads the Morehead State offense, averaging 13.5 ppg.
- MSU leads the conference with 6.3 blocks-per-game. Junior Brooke Todd's 2.92 bpg leads the league and ranks 13
th in the country.
- The Eagles are fourth in scoring offense at 72.1 ppg and are second in scoring defense, allowing 63.8 ppg.
UP NEXT
- EKU returns to McBrayer Arena Wednesday to host OVC leader Belmont University. Wednesday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Men's Preview
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- EKU (10-16, 3-8 OVC) knocked down a season-best 15 three-pointers in Saturday night's loss at UT Martin. It was the most triples in a game by an EKU team since the Colonels hit 15 at Western Kentucky on December 1, 2015.
- Junior
Dillon Avare came off the bench to pour in a career-high 21 points at UT Martin. The Lexington native hit a career-best seven three-pointers in the loss. That is the most long-range shots in a game by a Colonel since Glenn Cosey connected on eight at Austin Peay on February 22, 2014.
- Sophomore
Nick Mayo scored his 900
th career point in Martin. Mayo has now scored in double figures in 29 consecutive games dating back to last season, and he leads EKU and ranks fifth in the OVC in scoring at 17.5 points-per-game.
- Freshman
Asante Gist was voted the OVC Freshman of the Week for the sixth time on Monday. No other rookie in the league has earned the award more than three times. Gist averaged 18.5 points-per-game and 5.0 assists-per-game in two games last week for the Colonels. He leads all freshmen in the league in scoring (15.2 points-per-game) and assists (3.8 assists-per-game).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
- Morehead State (11-12, 7-3 OVC) has won five of its last six games, and the Eagles currently sit in second place in the OVC East. MSU hosts Murray State on Wednesday night at Johnson Arena.
- Xavier Moon paces the Eagles at 16.3 points and 4.7 assists-per-game.
- This is the 188th meeting between long-time rivals EKU and Morehead State. EKU leads the all-time series, 108-79; however, the Eagles have won three straight over the Colonels, including an 80-54 decision in Morehead in January.
UP NEXT
Eastern hits the road next week for the Music City, playing at Belmont on Thursday night and at Tennessee State on Saturday night.
