Issue date: 1/15/04 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Nathan Gray/Progress Sophomore guard Matt Witt goes up for a shot as senior center Tim Volpenhein attempts to block it in practice earlier this week.

The Colonels hit the hardwood again tonight when they play host to another round of OVC action. In tonight's game, Eastern will take on the Governors of Austin Peay University.

Austin Peay will take the floor with a conference record of 3-0 and an overall record of 6-7.

"Austin Peay uses their defense to win basketball games, they are very aggressive and are a really physical team," Eastern men's basketball coach Travis Ford said.

Coach Ford's Colonels come into tonight's game with a conference mark of 1-1 and an overall record of 6-7.

Last year the Colonels fell to the Governors three times, the last loss coming when Austin Peay knocked Eastern out of the OVC tournament by a score of 83-30.

The Governors lead the overall series between the two teams by a record of 46-40.

"Austin Peay returns all five of their starters, they are an extremely balanced basketball team," Ford said. "Austin Peay and Morehead are the two elite teams in our league."

They will be led by the play of senior forward Adrian Henning, who averages 13.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

"Henning is a very good player and he is extremely versatile," Ford said. "He is probably the most versatile player in the league."

Also leading the Governors will be junior guard Anthony Davis, who pours in 12.9 points and 4.2 boards per game, while senior center Josh Lewis is averages 9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds.

Leading the way for the Colonels will be sophomore guard Matt Witt, who averages 13.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. Senior forward Jon Bentley has an average of 11.3 points and 5.3 boards, while junior forward Michael Haney is averaging 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds on the season.

"Everyone is looking forward to playing," Ford said.

The Colonels will be playing tonight's game without the presence of freshman forward Mamadou Diakhate, who has a high ankle sprain. Diakhate plays a key role in the Colonels offense.

Tip-off for tonight's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Alumni Coliseum.

"We feel like we can compete with any team in our conference, we know that we have to over achieve to win," Ford said. "We're going to have to rebound and execute on offense in order to win."

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