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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Even though the midpoint of the Ohio Valley Conference season isn't until next week, this weekend's trek to Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State for Eastern Illinois women's basketball could ultimately prove to be the biggest road trip of the year.

 

Entering the week, Morehead (12-6, 5-1 OVC), EKU (8-7, 5-1 OVC) and EIU (8-8, 4-1 OVC) comprise the top three teams in the OVC standings. The Panthers take on EKU Thursday evening at 4:30 p.m. (CST). Saturday's game at Morehead is set to begin at 1 p.m. (CST).

 

The EKU-Morehead trip has become an annual homecoming of sorts for EIU's three Lexington, Ky., natives: head coach Brady Sallee, Chantelle Pressley and Pilar Walker. However, injury confirmation came Tuesday evening for Walker. A team doctor confirmed that the knee injury the point guard suffered in the second half of Saturday's victory against Southeast Missouri State was indeed of the season-ending variety. She has a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.

 

Walker was averaging 4.6 points and 2.0 assists per game while leading the team in field goal percentage (.532). The rest of the EIU guard corps are expected to share the point guard duties when starter Ta'Kenya Nixon is not on the floor.

 

“I really hate it for Pilar; she was really playing well and truly excelling in her sixth man role,” Sallee said. “The lift she provided for us off the bench was immeasurable and her ability to play multiple positions effectively will definitely be missed. She now has to focus on her academics, rehab and mental toughness. There is no doubt that she will comeback next season tougher, stronger and more determined.”

 

Morehead (59.8 ppg) and EKU (60.8 ppg) rank one-two in the OVC in scoring defense. Eastern (71.1 ppg), meanwhile, leads the conference in scoring offense.

 

The Eagles entered the week leading the nation in 3-pointers made (10.2) and attempted (29.2) per game and have shot 178 more 3s than any other team in the league. Coincidentally, the Lady Colonels rank second to in EIU field goal percentage (.404), but are only eighth in scoring (56.4 ppg).

 

The Panthers have won four straight games against both EKU and Morehead, sweeping the season series the last two years. Eastern has posted seven of its 10 all-time wins against the Lady Colonels during Sallee's six-year tenure.

 

Sallee and second-year EKU head coach Chrissy Roberts were both assistants at East Carolina during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Meanwhile, Morehead's third-year skipper Mike Bradbury is one of Sallee's closest friends in the profession.

 

Roberts has emerged as an early candidate for OVC Coach of the Year honors. Despite losing 2009 OVC Freshman of the Year Kayla Drake, who chose to transfer to IPFW over the summer, Roberts has her team in position to contend for a first-division finish and host a home game in the opening round of the OVC Tournament. Entering the season, EKU was picked ninth in the league's preseason poll and had not finished above sixth place since sweeping the regular-season and tournament titles in 2004-05.

 

Eastern Kentucky is led by newcomers Alex Jones (a 6-foot-1 forward) and Talisha Davis (a 5-foot-6 guard). As an inside-outside combination, both players are averaging 11.7 points per game. Jones is second in the OVC with a .526 field goal percentage but only shoots 60 percent at the free throw line. Davis is the league's reigning OVC Player of the Week thanks in part to her 29-point game in the Jan. 7 win at Jacksonville State. She has connected on 25 of EKU's 61 3-pointers.

 

Morehead State is led by OVC Preseason Player of the Year Chynna Bozeman. She leads the conference in scoring (17.7 ppg) and 3-pointers made (57). The junior entered the week having taken 191 of her 305 field goal attempts (63 percent) from 3-point land. As a team, EIU has only attempted 222 3-pointers this season.

 

The Eagles also excel at rebounding the ball, averaging 41 boards per game to lead the conference. Forwards Ashar Harris (9.6 rpg) and Deja Watson (6.2 rpg) are both among the league leaders. Offensive rebounds often lead to second-chance 3-point opportunities for MSU's bevy of shooters. Tiffany Hamilton (47 3s, .439), Courtney Lumpkin (27 3s, .391) and Tiffanie Stephens (24 3s, .400) all shoot a high percent from long range.

 

Morehead and EKU both suffered their first OVC losses of the season Saturday. The Eagles lost at Jacksonville State and the Lady Colonels went down at Tennessee Tech. The two rivals square off Saturday, Jan. 23 after being the final teams to have an open date in the conference schedule.

The Panthers, meanwhile, will be looking to snap a three-game streak away from home this weekend.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID