RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team will return home to McBrayer Arena for two Ohio Valley Conference contests. The Lady Colonels host Tennessee State in a 6:30 PM tipoff Thursday before entertaining Austin Peay Saturday at 2:00 PM.

"We re starting to play with more confidence," said EKU head coach Larry Joe Inman. "We have two important games coming up this weekend and hopefully we can build on the EIU win. These girls are playing their hearts out right now."

Eastern Kentucky will enter this weeks games posting a 5-6 overall record and a 2-2 league mark. Last weekend, the Lady Colonels lost at Southeast Missouri, 101-93, before notching a win at Eastern Illinois, 72-62.

At Southeast Missouri on Saturday, EKU could not solve Otahkian forward Paula Corder, who scorched the Lady Colonels for 44 points, including a nine of 11 effort from behind the three point arc. SEMO needed double overtime to earn the win against Eastern.

Leading the way for the Lady Colonels was freshman guard Mikki Bond. Bond recorded career-highs in both points (20) and rebounds (11) and earned her first collegiate double-double. For her efforts, the Knoxville, TN, native was named OVC Freshman of the Week.

Freshman guard Zoey Artist also picked up two career-highs in the loss as she recorded 16 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Charlotte Sizemore continued her strong play as she contributed 18 points in the losing effort.

The Lady Colonels turned things around at Eastern Illinois on Monday. Snapping a three-game losing streak, EKU topped the Lady Panthers by a score of 72-62. The game marked only the second time all season that the Lady Colonels have been able to recover from being down at half to earn the win. Strong defense and solid offensive efforts from nearly everyone helped solidify the win. Entering the game, EIU center Leah Aldrich was the OVC's leading scorer, pouring in 23 points per outing. But, the Lady Colonel defense stopped Aldrich, holding her to only nine points.

"This was our best defensive effort of the season," said Inman. "Our defense has been a concern for us all season and it's still a concern. We can't just play this one game. Our goal is to hold our opponents to 65 points or less. We did that tonight, holding Eastern Illinois to 62 points.

"What I'm really, really proud of is the way our defense stepped up. Our post did a great job on Aldrich."

Leading the offensive charge was Sizemore, who tied a career-high with 25 points. She also added three assists and five rebounds. Bond continued her outstanding play as she recorded her second consecutive double-double with 16 points and 10 boards. Sophomore center Candice Finley contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.

"When I look at the game statistics, the first thing that jumps out at me is the great game by Candice Finley, Charlotte Sizemore and Mikki Bond," said Inman. "Then, I see the great defense of our post players (Finley, Jennifer King, Shannon Browning and Cathy Dues). Those players really stepped up in the final five to six minutes of the game, not only defensively, but on offense as well."

Following their two contests at home, the Lady Colonels will hit the road again to take on Tennessee-Martin in Martin, TN. The two teams will play Tuesday, January 12, at 6:30 PM ET.

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