The Eastern men’s basketball team is on a two-game winning streak, and looking for more as they head into a conference clash with Murray State on Thursday at 7p.m. in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Panthers will hit the road in hopes of turning around what has been a disappointing campaign away from Lantz Arena.

Eastern holds a 1-7 record in road games, and will look to turn that around in the two consecutive away games coming up.

The Panthers come into play at 6-12 overall on the season, as well as 3-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

Murray State will head into the game at 8-10 on the season, holding a 2-3 record in OVC play.

The Racers have been much more successful on their home court with a 6-3 record at the CFSB Center.

Although he is averaging just 1.9 points per game, Murray State will be missing freshman forward Brion Sanchious, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.

Murray State comes in at 3^rd place in the OVC West, just one game behind the 1^st place Panthers.

The Racers are ranked 8^th in the OVC for scoring offense at about 70 points per game, while ranking 3^rd in scoring defense by allowing just 69 points per game.

The Panthers will need to find the stroke that they have had the past two games when they put up 80 or more points against each team.

The key to Eastern’s success will be stopping Wayne Langston and Bryce Jones, who are both averaging about 13 points per game to lead Murray State.

Wayne Langston ranks 3^rd in the OVC in field goal percentage, as he is shooting about 63 percent from the field.

Eastern will be looking for a solid contribution from the team’s leading scorer senior Trae Anderson, who scored just two points in his last game.

Anderson is averaging 13.5 points per game throughout this season, and has carried the load for most of the season.

While Anderson’s production has fallen off, Demetrius McReynolds has stepped up for the Panthers.

McReynolds broke out for 27 points in the Panther’s win against Eastern Kentucky, and followed that game with 14 points against Morehead State.

McReynolds has enjoyed a quality season as he now averages about 10 points a game.

Cornell Johnston continues to be the heart of this Panthers team, as he is looking to improve on last game where he scored 15 points and added 10 assists.

Johnston is just a sophomore, and has continued to be a leader on the team since he first came on as a freshman.

Johnston’s clutch three-pointer in overtime against Morehead State proved to be an important element in their victory.

Eastern will look for more of the same from him as they try for their third straight win to start their two-game road trip.

Maher Kawash can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]