#RSCgotw Men's Basketball: Ohio Christian at No. 5 IU East, Sat., 3 p.m. ET

12/2/2016 12:00:00 AM

FLORENCE, Ky. – The top two favorites the RSC preseason coaches' poll square off for the River States Conference Men's Basketball Game of the Week on Saturday, Dec. 3 when Ohio Christian visits No. 5 IU East at 3 p.m. ET.

IU East (9-1), ranked No. 5 in this week's NAIA Division II Top 25 Poll, was the overall preseason favorite and the pick to win the RSC East Division this year. Ohio Christian (5-5) was picked right behind in each category.

This RSC East Division battle is the first of two meetings this year between the teams as all division rivals play and a home and away series. The teams split last year's meetings with the home team winning each time.

IU East finished 1.0 game ahead of OCU for the division title last year. That secured an automatic bid to the NAIA DII national tournament for the Red Wolves, who rode that all the way to the Fab Four. Ohio Christian is now in its first year of conference and NAIA postseason eligibility after joining the NAIA last year.

IU East's last game was a 93-88, overtime win over then-No. 3 ranked Davenport (Mich.) on Nov. 28. It was the third win in a row for the Red Wolves, who have their only loss versus No. 2 Indiana Wesleyan.

Ohio Christian has played a tough schedule as well and is coming off a 70-61 loss at NCAA Division II Cedarville (Ohio). The Trailblazers ended a four-game skid with a win over Wright State-Lake Nov. 22.

IU East, which already has an RSC win over Midway, has four starters scoring in double figures led by Lucas Huffman (16.5 ppg) and Jordan Furlow (12.5 ppg).

Ohio Christian features RSC scoring leader Marquis Jackson, a senior guard averaging 26.4 ppg to rank fourth in the nation. Forward Gary Hoover is the top rebounder at 11.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg.

Live video is planned at IU East's Stretch Internet portal at the link above. Live stats via Dakstats. Follow on Twitter using hashtag #RSCgotw and @RiverStatesConf and @RSCScores.