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GAME NOTES: Two teams separated by just one game in the Ohio Valley Conference standings meet at Lantz Arena tonight, as the Eastern Illinois Panthers host the Austin Peay Governors.

The Panthers enter the contest at 9-7 within the conference, leaving them just one game behind APSU and Eastern Kentucky for third place in the OVC standings. EIU is peaking at the right time as well, having won a season-high five straight games. On Saturday, the Panthers took a break from league play and edged Northern Illinois, 73-70, to improve to 16-11 overall.

On the flip side, the Govs are trying to hold off the Panthers for a top four finish and they will need to do so on the road, where they have gone just 2-5 against league foes. Most recently, APSU capped off a three-game homestand with an 89-80 loss to Oral Roberts on Saturday. It was a non-conference bout for the Govs, who had a two-game win streak snapped and are now 16-13 overall.

As for the all-time series, ASPU holds a 20-12 lead over EIU and has won the last 10 meetings between the schools.

The Govs simply struggled on defense this past weekend, allowing Oral Roberts to shoot a scorching 56.1 percent from the field in an 89-80 loss. APSU made 50.0 percent of its field goals for the game, but fell apart in the second half, getting outscored 58-44 in the setback. Wes Channels tallied 25 points to lead the Govs, while Anthony Campbell chipped in with 11. The duo has carried APSU this season, as they account for a majority of the team's scoring average of 72.8 ppg. Channels, a 44.3 percent three-point shooter, leads the way with 16.7 ppg and 40 steals, while Campbell tacks on 15.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 32 swipes.

The Panthers shot 48.2 percent from the floor and went 14-of-17 at the foul line to lock up a 73-70 result over NIU this past weekend. EIU also did a good job on the glass, winning the battle on the boards, 42-30. Tyler Laser led the charge with 19 points and three steals, while T.J. Marion posted 13 points and seven assists. For the season, Laser is the only player on the roster scoring in double figures at the moment, with 14.1 ppg behind 38.9 percent shooting from long range.

EIU is red-hot right now and the Panthers should be able to use their momentum to defeat APSU for the first time in several years.