EASTERN ILLINOIS (10-6, 4-2)
at Eastern Kentucky (11-6, 4-2)
Jan. 14, 2010 • 6:30 p.m. (CST)
McBrayer Arena • Richmond, Ky.
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
Mike Bradd & Rich Moser
GAME 17
Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky will square off on Thursday night in Richmond, Ky., with the winner taking hold of sole possession of third place in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. After winning three straight at home to open the 2010 calendar year, Eastern Illinois fell on the road at Murray State on Monday night to drop to 10-6 overall, 4-2 in the OVC. The Panthers limited Murray State to just 35 percent shooting but could not overcome the Racers 23 second half trips to the free throw line. Eastern Kentucky is coming off a weekend road split at Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech which moved the Colonels to 11-6 overall, 4-2 in the OVC.
EIU-EASTERN KENTUCKY SERIES
Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky have met 26 previous times with EKU holding a 15-11 series advantage. The Colonels had won eight games in a row dating back to 2003 before EIU could earn a split with EKU last season. Both teams won on their home court with EIU winning 58-48 in Lantz Arena and EKU winning 73-55 in McBrayer Arena. EKU has won seven straight over EIU in Richmond and ten of 12 at home over the Panthers since EIU joined the OVC.
SCOUTING EASTERN KENTUCKY
Eastern Kentucky is one of the toughest teams in the OVC to defeat on their home court as the Colonels have won sixteen straight games at home and ten of their last eleven home OVC contests. Justin Stommes paces the EKU offense with 15.8 points per game while shooting 53 percent from the field. Josh Taylor is just slightly behind at 14.1 ppg. EKU is hitting 40 percent from 3-point range but is being out-rebounded by seven rebounds per contest.
100 YEAR TEAMS COLLIDE
Both Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky are celebrating 100 years of men's intercollegiate basketball this season. EIU has posted a program record of 1,206-1,130 while EKU has a program record of 1,106-1034.
