In the midst of an eight-game losing streak, Eastern’s men’s basketball team will attempt to end its streak when it goes on the road to take on Ohio Valley Conference rival, Tennessee Tech.

The Panthers will have the task of stopping the OVC’s leading scorer in senior forward Kevin Murphy. The 6-foot-6-inch forward is averaging 21.8 points per game, while shooting 47 percent from the field. Murphy also gives the Golden Eagles a serious threat from beyond the three-point line. He makes 2.4 shots per game from outside the three-point line, and is shooting 45 percent from distance on the season. Murphy’s production does not stop on offense. He is averaging 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1 steal per game.

If the threat of Murphy is stopped, Tennessee Tech has another option in junior guard Jud Dillard. The 6-foot-4-inch guard plays much bigger than his height. He leads the team with 8.6 rebounds per game. However, Dillard gives the Golden Eagles a second quality scoring option. He is averaging 18.3 points per game, while shooting 52 percent from the field.

Most Eastern fans should also remember clutch shooting senior guard Zac Swansey, who hit two game-winning shots against the Panthers last season. This season he is averaging 7.7 points per game and dishing out a team-high six assists per game.

Dillard, Swansey and Murphy have led Tennessee Tech to the second best offense in the conference, averaging 74.5 points per game. They have an average scoring margin of +3.2 points, which is also second best in the OVC.

At 8-4 in the conference, the Golden Eagles find themselves in a tie for second in the standings, while Eastern sits at 2-9 and is tenth in the standings. The top eight teams make the OVC tournament at the end of the season.

The Panthers are led by senior guard Jeremy Granger who is averaging 15.3 points per game, which leads the team. He also leads the team in assists (3.4) and steals (1). Sophomore forward Alfonzo McKinnie is one the OVC’s most improved players this season.

The 6-foot-7-inch forward is averaging 10.8 points per game and pulling down a team-high 7.3 rebounds as well. Freshman guard Joey Miller is the only other Panther averaging double-digits in points with 10.1.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hooper Eblen Arena in Cookville, Tenn.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu.