EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — Two Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Thursday when the Eastern Illinois Panthers visit the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles.

The Panthers (8-11, 4-2 OVC) enter the contest at the Physical Activities Center on a high note after a dominant 105-49 non-conference win over Blackburn on Sunday. Eastern Illinois has won four of its last six games, including three straight conference victories earlier this month.

Guard Zion Fruster has been a key catalyst for the Panthers. Over his last seven games, the junior is averaging 13.4 points and 3.1 assists. He scored 19 points in a win over Tennessee State on Jan. 10 and had 16 points and five rebounds in the rout of Blackburn.

The Screaming Eagles (4-13, 1-4), still transitioning to Division I, have struggled for consistency. They are coming off a 73-67 loss at Tennessee State on Saturday, their third defeat in four games. Their lone conference win was a 71-54 victory at Tennessee Tech on Jan. 15.

Southern Indiana will lean on guard Amaree Brown, who has provided a scoring punch. He poured in 20 points against Tennessee State and has averaged 16.3 points over his last four contests.

Defense will likely be a focal point. In its recent conference wins, Eastern Illinois has held opponents to an average of 64.5 points. Southern Indiana, conversely, has allowed 79.3 points per game in its four OVC losses.

The Panthers won both meetings last season. Thursday’s game is the first of a home-and-home series, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 21 in Charleston, Illinois.

Following this contest, Eastern Illinois travels to face Morehead State on Saturday. Southern Indiana remains at home to host Western Illinois that same day.