RICHMOND, Ky. – The No. 3 seed Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team will face No. 6 seed Austin Peay in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday night in Evansville, Indiana. Tip from the Ford Center is scheduled for 10:30 p.m.
 
The game will air live on ESPN+. The radio broadcast of the game can be heard locally at 100.7 FM and worldwide at EKUSports.com.
 
 
WHAT TO KNOW
 
EKU (21-6, 15-5 OVC) won a program-record 15 Ohio Valley Conference games this season.
 
The Colonels closed out the regular season strong, winning their last three games, including an 81-67 victory over first-place Belmont on February 25.
 
Junior Tre King and freshman Wendell Green Jr. were voted first team All-OVC on Tuesday. They are only the third set of EKU teammates since 1993-94 to be named first team all-conference in the same season.
 
King averaged 15.2 points and 6.3 rebounds-per-game this season. The 6-9 forward enters postseason play 49 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
 
Green Jr. averaged 15.0 points and 5.1 assists-per-game during the regular season. The 5-11 guard is currently seven assists shy of tying the EKU freshman record (144).
 
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
 
Austin Peay (14-12, 10-10 OVC) lost its final three games of the regular season.
 
EKU split with APSU during the regular season. The Colonels won in Clarksville, 80-75, on January 2. The Govs responded with a 94-79 win in Richmond on February 4.
 
Austin Peay is led by two-time OVC Player of the Year Terry Taylor, who comes in averaging 21.7 points and 11.0 rebounds-per-game.
 
 
UP NEXT
 
The winner of Thursday night's game will face the winner of No. 2 Morehead State / No. 7 Southeast Missouri, which is set to be played on Wednesday night at 10:30 p.m. ET.
 
 
TICKETS
 
The limited allotment of tickets available for each of EKU's games provided to EKU Athletics have been distributed for this week's tournament. No all-session passes were made available through EKU Athletics. 
 
Any tickets not used as part of the player/pass list or any additional single-session tickets will be made available to fans through EKUSports.com or by clicking this link. Please watch EKU social media accounts and check the ticket page on EKUSports.com for information on any tickets that become available on the afternoon of each game or sooner if possible. Any individual who has purchased tickets through the EKU ticket office will be updated with information to pick up their tickets at the Ford Center in Evansville.
 
The conference office, through the Ford Center, has limited tickets available for sale for the event. Single-session tickets to the tournament are available directly through the Ford Center box office and online at Ticketmaster.com. The Ford Center does not complete ticket transactions over the phone.
 
Student tickets will be sold at the Ford Center box office on the day of the game (school ID required). Student tickets will be located in a reserved seat and will not be on the floor. Student tickets are $5 and only valid for the session in which their institution is competing.
 
Once purchased, tickets are non-transferable. 
 
Please contact the EKU Ticket Office at 859-622-2122 for more information.
 
 
WATCH PARTY
 
EKU Athletics, Student Life, and Campus Rec are hosting a watch party for the men's basketball team's first round game in the OVC Tournament! Doors will open at 10:00 p.m. with the game scheduled to tip off at 10:30 p.m. All tickets will be free and reserved in pods (like a normal home game), and no general admission seating is available.
 
This event is open to all fans and students.
 
The EKU dance team will perform at halftime of the watch party.

Facemasks are required to be worn at all times when inside McBrayer Arena. Ushers will be monitoring masking throughout the contest. Anyone who refuses to wear their masks appropriately will be escorted from the venue.

All patrons are required to wear facemasks when traveling through the parking lots and while socializing.

Upon entry into McBrayer Arena, fans and staff will be temperature screened using an infrared thermometer.
 
Individuals can reserve a ticket in advance using this link or will receive a ticket upon arrival. Concessions will also be available during the event. Come cheer on the Colonels at McBrayer Arena they compete for the OVC Championship!


HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Fans attending this year's OVC Tournament will be temperature screened upon entering the Ford Center and will be required to where a face covering/mask at all times. Spectator seating for the Championships is limited and will be divided into socially-distanced pods. Pods will be spaced by the CDC prescribed safety distance of at least six (6) feet apart from other seating pods. This buffer is comprised of the row in front and behind the group being left vacant as well as a minimum of three seats on either side of the pod. All aisleway seats will be left vacant in order to maintain a buffer from patrons as they move to their assigned seating locations. All spectator seats will be sanitized before use and there will be increased sanitization performed in all commons areas.

Click here for more information on healthy and safety protocols at the OVC Tournament!


CLEAR BAG POLICY

As part of an ongoing commitment to safety and security, aligning with the best practices at major entertainment and athletics venues, there is now a "Clear Bag Policy" in effect at the Ford Center. Each fan may carry one bag that is clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).

Click here for more information on the clear bag policy!