(St. Louis, MO) – Ohio Valley Conference teams fought through the first weekend of the college basketball season with mixed results. Two teams were manhandled by nationally ranked ‘money conference’ teams and first year coaches started their seasons well.
OVC teams went 8-6 this weekend.
The Positives
Jon Harris – SIUE
Three new head coaches won their debuts. Murray State (Matt McMahon), Eastern Kentucky (Dan McHale) and Southern Illinois Edwardsville (Jon Harris) were victorious for their first-year coaches. EKU and Murray were two of the three OVC schools that scored more than 100 points.
Belmont took down another ‘money conference’ team, with an 83-80 win at Big East Conference foe Marquette’s home floor. Evan Bradds led the way with 24 points and nine rebounds. The Bruins nailed a Belmont-like 12 three-point baskets.
Jacksonville State split two games scoring more than 80 points in each contest. The Gamecocks dropped a narrow decision at Central Michigan (89-83) and returned to Alabama and defeated Fort Valley State 81-68. Malcolm Drumright scored 26 and 14 points in the two contests and in Saturday’s win Jared Hamilton recorded a double-double.
The Struggles
Southeast Missouri lost their first two games. In both contests the Redhawks were heavily out rebounded and struggled to make their free throws. Ricky Ray’s team opened against A-10 favorite Dayton and CIT champion Evansville.
Eastern Illinois was outmanned at #15 Indiana and Austin Peay experienced the same feat at #18 Vanderbilt. The Governors missed their first 14 shots, fell behind 21-0 and never recovered.
What’s Ahead?
These OVC teams don’t rest very much. Nine of them are on the court Monday. Austin Peay tangles with another top 25 team in Bloomington, Indiana against the Hoosiers. Belmont travels to Pac-12 foe Arizona State.
Only two of Monday’s games are on OVC home courts.
Do Good
Twitter Feed
Three more road wins so far in @ValleyHoops as @BradleyUMBB @BelmontMBB & @UIC_MBB capture road wins. Looks like @DrakeBulldogsMB will do so too. #FatherHarry
Well @RacersWBB followed the men's example and swept Iowa in the @ValleyHoops race! Racers are 6-1 & if @BelmontWBB holds on to their Iowa sweep, the Bruins and Racers will be tied for first. What a trip for those two teams! #FatherHarry
After today's action, @EIUWBB is 8-0 in @OVCSports play. 4 teams @usiwbb @TTUWBB @LRTrojans @LindenwoodWBB are tied at 6-2. Six other teams are under .500. Great race to the finish lies ahead. #FatherHarry
Really entertaining game between @BelmontMBB & @UEAthletics_MBB. Under four minutes left in a one point game. Gabriel Pozzato back in the Aces' lineup. Rogers is playing like I've expected. Triples are dropping. It's fun and @kylejpeach bringing it on #ThePlus #FatherHarry
