NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's and women's basketball teams will open Ohio Valley Conference road play at Belmont on Thursday night.

Action from the Curb Event Center gets underway with the women's game at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The men will tip at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Women's Preview

Live Stats | ESPN+ | Game Notes

 
INSIDE THE SERIES
- Belmont leads the all-time series between the two teams, 20-3.
 
- The Bruins won both contests last year.
 
THE COLONELS
-  Eastern is 7-8 (1-3 OVC) after knocking off SIUE, 49-46, and snapping a 25-game conference losing streak.
 
-  Teri Goodlett led the way in her first game back, posting a game-best 13 points and three rebounds.
 
-  I'Liyah Green posted a career-high with 12 points and four rebounds. Green was named OVC Newcomer of the Week for the second time this year.    
 
-  De'Ayra Davis chipped in 12 points and a career-high nine rebounds off the bench for the Colonels.
 
-  The Colonel defense held the Cougars to under 30 percent shooting on the contest. The fourth time EKU has held a team under 30 percent shooting on the year.
 
-  The Colonels rank 58th in the country in field goal percentage defense.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
-  Belmont comes into the contest at 8-7 (3-1 OVC), after falling on the road at UT Martin, 74-57, on Saturday.
 
-  Jamilyn Kennedy led the way for the Bruins posting a team-best 14 points and six rebounds.  
 
-  Ellie Harmeyer chipped in 13 points and five rebounds of her own.
 
-  Belmont ranks first in conference play in scoring defense.
 
-  The Bruins rank 45th in the country in rebound margin.
 
UP NEXT
Eastern Kentucky continues its Nashville swing when the Colonels take on Tennessee State on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.


Men's Preview

Live Broadcast (ESPNU)  |  Live Stats  |  Game Notes (PDF)  |  Live Audio 
Social Media - @EKUHoops

WHAT TO KNOW
 
After sweeping Eastern Illinois and SIUE at home last week, EKU is off to its best OVC start (3-1) since the 2014-15 season.
 
The Colonels rank 4th in the NCAA in turnovers forced-per-game (19.8), 6th in steals-per-game (9.9) and 19th in turnover margin (+4.4).
 
Sophomore Jomaru Brown averaged 22 points and 3.5 steals-per-game last week to lead the Colonels past EIU and SIUE. He was named OVC Player of the Week by College Sports Madness on Monday.
 
Since conference play started, senior Lachlan Anderson has come off the bench to average 11.3 points-per-game and 5.3 rebounds-per-game while shooting 63 percent from the field (12-of-19), 53 percent from deep (8-of-15) and 81 percent from the stripe (13-of-16).
 
After JacQuess Hobbs left the game vs. SIUE with an injury, junior Russhard Cruickshank took over primary point guard responsibilities and responded with nine points, a career-high six assists and only one turnover.
 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
 
Belmont (12-5, 3-1 OVC) swept UT Martin and Southeast Missouri last week.
 
Sophomore Adam Kunkel leads a high-scoring Belmont offense at 17.2 points-per-game. He is shooting 42 percent from three-point range.
 
This is the 19th all-time meeting between EKU and Belmont. The Bruins lead the series, 13-5, and have won seven straight over the Colonels.
 
EKU's last win at the Curb Event Center came on Feb. 6, 2016.
 
 
UP NEXT
 
EKU stays in Nashville to face Tennessee State on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.