Eagles host SEMO in OVC home opener on Thursday night

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MOREHEAD, Ky. - The Morehead State men's basketball team returns to Johnson Arena for their OVC home opener against Southeast Missouri on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET.

The Eagles (6-7) have lost six of seven after starting the season off at 5-1. While struggling to find victories, MSU has had a chance to win in the final minutes in all of their losses, except for their loss at IU. Four of their six recent losses are by six or fewer points. Last season, the Eagles went through a similar stretch in December, when they lost six straight. In their last two Decembers, they are a combined 3-11.

Morehead State ranks 210 in the latest RPI, falling 80 spots after losing at home to Green Bay and at ETSU and Murray State. They have the sixth best RPI in the OVC.

After failing to score in double digits in the first nine games, senior forward Anthony Elechi has scored in double digits in four straight games. He recorded 11 points at Davidson, a then career-high 14 points against Green Bay, a new career-high 15 points at ETSU, and 10 at Murray State.

In the loss at Murray State, he collected his fourth foul with 16 minutes remaining in the game and was forced to sit after scoring six quick second half points.

He is shooting 65 percent from the floor on the season. He shot a combined 3-of-11 at Illinois State and at NKU, but is shooting 36-of-50, good for 72 percent, in the 10 games since. He is averaging 7.2 points and 4.7 rebounds despite playing just 16.4 minutes per game. His +/- of +98 is best on the team.

Southeast Missouri State is 2-12 on the season, but they are 2-2 in their last four games after starting the year off at 0-10. Their victories are at Missouri State, 78-74, and at home against NAIA's Harris-Stowe, 94-84. Their lone common opponent with Morehead State is Northern Kentucky and they lost in Highland Heights, 79-69. Eleven of their 12 losses are by nine or more points.

They are led by junior guard Antonius Cleveland, who averages a team-high 14.7 points and 6.9 rebounds.

The contest will be the 43rd meeting between Morehead State and Southeast Missouri State. The Eagles lead the series 25-17 overall and have won the last four games and 12 of the last 13. Morehead State is 14-7 all-time at home and have won the last five at Johnson Arena. The Eagles defeated the Redhawks twice last year, winning at SEMO, 70-57, and then in the first round of the OVC Tournament, 79-74.

The contest will air live on the OVC Digital Network. It will also be broadcast on the Eagle Sports Radio Network with Chuck Mraz and Jason Blanton calling all of the action. The radio network includes WIVY-96.3 FM and several affiliates throughout eastern Kentucky. A live audio stream can be found on MSUEagles.com and the Eagle Empire app.