MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State men's basketball team closes out 2012 on Sunday with a non-conference contest against NAIA opponent Union (Ky.). Tip-off from Johnson Arena is set for 2 p.m. ET.
The Eagles, 5-8 on the season, suffered a 94-58 defeat to Conference USA opponent Southern Mississippi on Friday. The Bulldogs, 7-6 overall, dropped a 104-67 decision to Big South Conference foe Liberty.
Ways to follow the game:
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO (CPU) | LIVE AUDIO (mobile) | LIVE STATS | TWITTER
The game will be webcast free of charge on OVCDigitalNetwork.com. It will also be broadcast on WIVY-96.3 FM in Morehead, MSUEagles.com (computers) and m.Morehead.EZStream.com (mobile devices). Chuck Mraz will call the play-by-play, while Mike Williams provides analysis.
Releases and pre-game information:
MOREHEAD STATE | UNION (KY.) | OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE
Ten notes heading into the contest:
WINNING AT JOHNSON ARENA
Morehead State has won 84 percent (54-10) of its games at Johnson Arena over the past five years, including 91 percent (32-3) in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Eagles have outscored their opponents, 448-417, in six home contests this season.
ANALYZING HOME VS. ROAD
Morehead State owns a 4-2 home record this season, but has gone just 1-6 on the road. The Eagles average 74.7 points on 44 percent from the field and are +5.0 in rebounds at Johnson Arena. MSU averages just 62.9 points on 39 percent from the floor and is -1.7 on the boards away from the friendly confines.
FACING THE BULLDOGS
Morehead State will face Union (Ky.) in a regular-season men’s basketball game for the 42nd time on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles own a 31-10 upper hand in the all-time series, but the Bulldogs won the last meeting during the 1992-93 season.
TOO MANY WHISTLES
Morehead State has been called for nation-leading 336 fouls through 13 games, while its opponents have only been whistled for 209 infractions. The Eagles have attempted just 244 free throws, while their foes have gone to the foul line 387 times.
THIS YEAR VS. LAST
Morehead State was whistled for 256 fouls (19.7 avg.) through 13 contests last season, but has been guilty of 336 infractions (25.8 avg.) this year. The differential has led to 137 more free-throw attempts for its opponents.
DOING IT OFF THE BENCH
The Morehead State bench has outscored its opponents, 403 (31.0 pg) to 195 (15.0 pg), this year. The Eagle reserves have outscored their foes in 11 of 13 games to date.
STEPPING UP AT THE LINE
Morehead State ranked 11th out of 12 Ohio Valley Conference teams in free-throw percentage (63 percent) after its first 10 games this season, but the Eagles have knocked down 42-of-54 (78 percent) over their past three contests.
A BREAKOUT FOR BAKARI
Junior Bakari Turner tallied a career-best 16 points against Southern Mississippi on 4-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. He entered the night averaging just 4.6 points on 29 percent from the floor and 61 percent from the foul line.
NOVEMBER VS. DECEMBER
Senior Milton Chavis averaged a team-best 17.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and shot 52 percent from the field in seven November games, but has averaged only 4.6 points, 2.4 boards and shot 33 percent from the floor in five December contests.
EFFICIENT EFFORT
Junior Chad Posthumus is averaging 7.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in just 15.4 minutes. His pro-rated numbers this season, based on a 40-minute game, are 18.8 points and 14.2 rebounds. He has pulled down at least seven boards eight times.
