Sports
Confident Colonels set to open OVC play
RICHMOND — The Colonels are on a four-game winning streak after gaining a lot of confidence last week in the CBE Classic.
Tonight, that will be put to the test, as Eastern Kentucky University will face Murray State in both teams’ Ohio Valley Conference opener.
The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and will begin at 7 p.m. in Murray.
The Racers (5-1) have been on a roll since falling to then-ranked California, 75-70, in their season-opener. They lead the conference in scoring (85 ppg), scoring defense (59 ppg), field-goal percentage (53.1 percent), three-point percentage (26.6 percent) and rebounding margin (+9). They have held their opponents to just 36 percent shooting this season.
“Murray State is easily the best defensive team in our conference,” EKU coach Jeff Neubauer said. “They’re incredible defensively. They create steals and are an excellent rebounding team as well.”
Murray is led by Ivan Aska, who averages 14.5 points and 68 percent shooting per game. Isaiah Canaan (11.8 ppg), newcomer B.J. Jenkins (11.2 ppg) and Danero Thomas (11.2 ppg) are also scoring in double-figures for the Racers. Tony Easley is their leading rebounder, with 7.5 boards and 9.3 points a contest.
“They have a young man just starting out, B.J. Jenkins, who adds a lot to their team,” Neubauer said. “They’ve built a good team. Ivan Aska is playing the best basketball of his life and he’s one of the best basketball players in our conference right now.”
EKU (5-1) will be on the road for its first two conference games, a place they struggled last season. The Colonels were just 5-11 away from McBrayer Coliseum during the 2008-09 season, but were 12-2 at home.
“We need to learn how to win on the road,” Neubauer said. “It’s our challenge early in the season. We know we’re playing the best team in our conference. We’ve had a couple of good defensively outings but we know it becomes more important in league games.”
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