FORT MYERS, Fla. – Riding a 3-game winning streak, Eastern Kentucky University will travel to the Sunshine State for a pair of Atlantic Sun Conference games, including a rematch with first-place Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday.
 
The Colonels and Eagles will meet just 12 days after EKU earned an 81-77 victory in their game in Richmond.  The contest in Fort Myers on Thursday will begin at 7 p.m.  Saturday's contest at Stetson is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
 
Both games will air live on ESPN+.  The live radio broadcasts of the games are available in the Richmond area on WCYO 100.7 FM, or worldwide on EKUSports.com.
 
THE COLONELS
-  EKU (12-11, 6-4 ASUN) has won three straight, including an 88-82 victory over Austin Peay at home on Saturday.  During their 3-game winning streak, the Colonels are averaging 83 points per game, and shooting 45 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range.
 
-  Over his last three games, Turner Buttry is shooting 11-for-20 (55 percent) from the field, 6-for-11 (55 percent) from 3-point range and 10-for-10 (100 percent) at the free throw line.
 
-  During their 3-game winning streak, the Colonels are averaging 15 assists per game and dishing out an assist on 51 percent of their made field goals.  In the seven ASUN games before that, EKU averaged 10.9 assists and had an assist on just 43 percent of its shots.
 
-  The Colonels shot a season-best 50.7 percent from the field against Austin Peay.  It was the first time since beating Central Arkansas on Feb. 24, 2024 that EKU shot 50 percent or better in a game.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
-  Since falling to the Colonels in Richmond, Florida Gulf Coast (13-10, 8-2 ASUN) has beaten Jacksonville (83-79) and Stetson (82-56).  The Eagles have a one game lead over four teams tied for second in the ASUN.  
 
- Dallion Johnson, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, leads the team in scoring at 15 points per game.  Keeshawn Kellman, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, is the top rebounder (7.0 rpg) and second leading scorer (12 ppg).  FGCU is shooting 47 percent from the field as a team.
 
-  After sweeping a road trip to Kentucky with wins over EKU and Bellarmine, Stetson (7-16, 5-5 ASUN) has lost two straight on the road to North Florida and Florida Gulf Coast.  The Hatters will host Jacksonville on Thursday.
 
-  Mehki Ellison, a 6-foot junior guard, leads Stetson in scoring (15.7 ppg) and assists (2.7 apg).  The Hatters are getting out-rebounded by 4.9 rebounds per game and committing four more turnovers than their opponents this season.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-  The Colonels are 3-1 all-time against Florida Gulf Coast.  EKU is 0-1 against the Eagles in Fort Myers.  In the most recent meeting on Jan. 25 in Richmond a 16-3 run early in the second half, including 3-pointers on three straight possessions, fueled EKU's victory.  Mayar Wol finished with 18 points and nine rebounds.  Jevin Muniz led FGCU with 18 points and seven assists.  The Eagles shot 52 percent from the field for the game and 50 percent (9-of-18) from 3-point range.  The Colonels out-rebounded the Eagles by nine.
 
-  Stetson has a 4-1 edge in the series and has won two straight.  EKU is 0-2 against the Hatters in DeLand.  Stetson earned a 67-66 win in the most recent meeting, on Jan. 23 in Richmond.  EKU overcame a 12-point second half deficit in that game and took a 2-point lead with 3.8 seconds left in the game, but Ellison hit a halfcourt game-winning shot at the buzzer.  Devontae Blanton and George Kimble III had 16 points each.  Ellison finished with a team-high 15 points for Stetson.