Thursday, February 28th, 7:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Johnson Arena (6,500) -- Morehead, Kentucky. Television: None. Home Record: TSU 7-5, MSU 10-1. Away Record: TSU 5-8, MSU 4-12. Neutral Record: TSU 0-2, MSU 0-0. Conference Record: TSU 9-9, MSU 11-7. Series Record: Morehead State leads 25-24.

GAME NOTES: The Morehead State Eagles kick off a regular season ending two- game homestand tonight, as they entertain the Tennessee State Tigers in Ohio Valley Conference play at Johnson Arena. The Eagles stepped away from conference action on Saturday and they were trounced, 89-57, at James Madison. It was the second loss in three games for MSU, which dropped to 14-13 overall. On a positive note, the team now returns back home, where it has gone 10-1 thus far. As for TSU, it has been out of action since February 18th, when it defeated league-leading Austin Peay by a 73-69 score. It was the second win in a row for the Tigers, as they pulled to an even 9-9 in conference play. Now at 12-15 overall, the team takes to the road, where it has gone just 3-5 within the league. TSU defeated MSU, 59-53, earlier this season, but the Eagles still hold a slight 25-24 edge in the head-to-head series.

The Tigers have done a solid job at the offensive end of the court this season, averaging 75.0 ppg on 45.7 percent shooting from the field. Bruce Price has just about done it all for TSU, leading the club in scoring (17.9 ppg), assists (4.8 apg) and even steals (60). Gerald Robinson has provided a nice complement to him with 15.9 ppg, while Jerrell Houston contributes 10.9 ppg and a team- best 6.3 rpg. In the team's last game, Robinson recorded 17 points and two steals to lead the Tigers in an upset of Austin Peay. Houston logged 13 points and seven boards, while Price had 12 points and seven rebounds. TSU shot just 39.3 percent from the floor, but it made up for that by hitting nine three- pointers and forcing 22 turnovers.

The Eagles lacked any sort of defense on Saturday, allowing James Madison to drain 57.1 percent of its shots from the field, including 12-of-21 from long distance, in a lopsided loss. MSU was also outscored at the foul line, 21-7, and it even turned the ball over 18 times. Leon Buchanan guided the team in defeat with 13 points and four rebounds, while Les Simmons chipped in with 11 points. For the season, Buchanan leads the squad in scoring at 13.2 ppg and he is also pulling down 6.0 rpg. Maze Stallworth is next in order with 12.1 ppg and he is followed by Jamyron Steward, who puts forth 11.9 ppg. As a team, the Eagles are scoring 64.6 ppg and shooting 42.9 percent from the field this season.

MSU has the luxury of playing this game at home and that should help it outlast a TSU club that may be a bit rusty due to the lengthy break between its games.

Predicted Outcome

Morehead State 67, Tennessee State 61