RICHMOND, Ky. – After a long time away, the EKU basketball teams return to McBrayer Arena on Thursday to host Belmont. 

The women's game tips at 5 p.m.  The men's contest is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Both games will air live on ESPN+.

A number of promotions and events will be going on in conjunction with the games, including the return of the half court shot for a car from Madison County Ford.  In addition, the winner of the Raising Cane's knock out game will get a year's supply of Cane's and a chance to win a $1,000 book scholarship with a half court shot.

FREE EKU basketball lanyards will be given to students while supplies last.

FREE basketball hoop heads from Campus Rec will be given out while supplies last.
 
The Campus Rec 'Game Night' Premium Seating Experience located in the end zone closest to student section will include pizza, Coke products and prizes, with a suite-style floor seating atmosphere.

The Baptist Health Fair will be held on the concourse from 6 to 8 p.m.  FREE health screenings will be available.

WOMEN'S PREVIEW
Watch Live (ESPN+) | Live stats | Live Audio | Live tweets | Game Notes

INSIDE THE SERIES
-  Belmont leads the all-time series 18-4.
 
-  The Bruins won, 69-43, earlier this year in Nashville.
 
-  The first-ever meeting between the two teams was in 1975.
 
THE COLONELS
-  Eastern Kentucky lost to SIU Edwardsville, 74-55, Saturday in Edwardsville.   
 
-  Catie Kaifes had a team-high 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and a career-best five steals against SIUE.
 
-  Teri Goodlett chipped in 11 points, three assists and two rebound against the Cougars.
 
-  Bria Bass went for nine points and five rebounds.
 
-  EKU has three players averaging double-digits in points.
 
-  The Colonels are knocking down seven 3-pointers a game.  

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
-  Belmont defeated Tennessee-Martin, 100-86, Saturday night in Nashville.    
 
-  Ellie Harmeyer posted 30 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals against UT Martin.  
 
-  Harmeyer leads the way for the Bruins averaging a team-best 16 points per game.
 
-  Belmont ranks eighth in the country in 3-pointers per game.
 
-  BU ranks 63rd in the country in scoring offense.
                          
-  The Bruins are pulling down 42.4 rebounds per game. 
 
UP NEXT
Eastern Kentucky continues its three-game home stand when Tennessee State visits McBrayer Arena on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.


MEN'S PREVIEW
Watch Live (ESPN+) | Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Tweets | Game Notes I Buy Tickets

WHAT TO KNOW
- Senior Nick Mayo averaged a double-double last week at 24 points and 10.5 rebounds-per-game. He had 33 points and 11 boards in the 88-82, double overtime loss at SIUE on Saturday. 

- Mayo ranks 11th in the country in scoring at 23.4 points-per-game. He ranks third in the country in free throws made (149). 

- Junior Kelvin Robinson scored a new career high of 18 points at SIUE on Saturday. 

- Freshman Jomaru Brown had 13 points, 6 assists and 6 steals at SIUE. Brown now ranks fourth in the OVC in steals/game (1.8). 

- EKU (10-13, 3-7 OVC) now has sole possession of the NCAA lead in steals/game (11.0). 

- The Colonels also rank second in the country in the turnovers forced/game (19.3), 11th in scoring offense (84.9 points-per-game) and 9th in turnover margin (+4.3). 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
- Belmont (17-4, 8-2 OVC) is currently in a four-way tie for first place in the OVC with Murray State, Jacksonville State and Austin Peay. 

- Dylan Windler leads the Bruins, averaging a double-double of 19.3 points and 10.1 rebounds-per-game. 

- This will be the 18th all-time meeting between EKU and Belmont. The Bruins lead the series 12-5 and have won six straight games over the Colonels. 

UP NEXT 
EKU stays at home to host Tennessee State on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET.