The college basketball season is heating up as teams gear up for exciting matchups this New Year's Eve. Both women's and men's teams are set to square off, showcasing their skills and strategies as they enter the Ohio Valley Conference and Big 12 play.
First, the Morehead State women’s basketball team is set to resume its Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) schedule against Southern Indiana at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 31st. The game will take place at the Screaming Eagles Arena, where Morehead State will look to extend its momentum after securing a dominant 68-51 victory over Tennessee State. The Eagles had to fight back from being behind at halftime but turned the game around with stellar defense, allowing just 17 points from Tennessee State in the second half.
Leading the attack for Morehead was freshman Chrishawn Coleman, who tallied 16 points alongside teammate Michelle Ugwah, who also matched 16 points with nearly clinching her first career double-double by grabbing nine rebounds. Coleman not only tied her career high but also showcased commendable free-throw precision shooting 12-13 from the line. The Eagles are now sporting a 6-6 record overall and have recently showed significant improvement from the charity stripe, averaging 72.5% over their last five games.
Southern Indiana enters this matchup with a record of 10-3 and is bolstered by the performances of key players Triniti Ralston, who led her team with 18 points against UT Martin, as well as Amiyah Buchanan, who achieved her first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. A fierce competitor, Southern Indiana currently leads the OVC in several key statistics, including field goal shooting percentage at 43.7%.
Historically, this matchup has favored Southern Indiana, which leads the series 3-1. The last meeting on February 20, 2024, saw Southern Indiana emerge victorious with a final score of 72-64. Morehead State aims to even the score as they compete for improvement within the conference.
Also on December 31, the UCF men's basketball team is preparing to take on Texas Tech at 2:00 p.m. ET at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. This game marks UCF’s second season entering the Big 12 Conference, and they will be eager to make their mark. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Ted Emrich and Scott Williams providing commentary.
Both teams are gearing up for intense competition and will be watched closely as they fight for their spots within their respective conferences. This year's college basketball season promises to be thrilling as teams make strategic moves to outclass each other on the court.