Preview: SIU Edwardsville at Morehead State

HALDEMAN, Ky. (Interstat) — A narrow defeat from earlier this month will be fresh in the minds of the SIU Edwardsville Cougars when they visit the Morehead State Eagles in an Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball rematch Thursday.

The Eagles (11-10, 4-4 OVC) edged the Cougars (13-8, 5-3) 73-72 in Edwardsville on Jan. 3, a result that adds stakes to the conference matchup at E.T. Johnson Arena.

SIU Edwardsville enters with momentum, having won three straight games to climb above .500 in league play. The Cougars are coming off a 62-58 home win over Tennessee Tech on Saturday, fueled by a double-double from forward Arnas Sakenis. The junior logged 16 points and 12 rebounds in that victory, continuing a strong stretch where he has averaged 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds over his last eight games, while also serving as a consistent shot-blocking presence.

Morehead State has found its footing after a mid-season skid, winning three of its last four contests. The Eagles defeated Eastern Illinois 73-68 on Saturday, led by forward Anouar Mellouk’s 12-point, 11-rebound double-double. Mellouk, who had four blocks in that game, has averaged 9.1 points and 6.6 rebounds over the same eight-game span and will be a key interior counterpart to Sakenis.

The Cougars’ recent success has been built on defense, holding opponents to 62.7 points per game during their three-game win streak. Morehead State’s offense, which averages 73.2 points per game at home, will test that resilience.

Beyond the conference standings, the game serves as a critical pivot point for both teams’ late-season aspirations. SIU Edwardsville aims to prove its recent form is sustainable and avenge its narrow loss. Morehead State looks to protect its home court and solidify a position in the upper half of the OVC table.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST Thursday at E.T. Johnson Arena.