CARROLLTON, Ga.- West Georgia men's basketball returns home to continue ASUN play, hosting Eastern Kentucky University this Saturday, January 3rd inside the Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game will stream live on ESPN+.

UWG (7-6, 1-0 ASUN) is coming off a thrilling victory in their first ASUN conference game of the year against Bellarmine, where Josh Smith knocked down a game-winning jumpshot to lift the Wolves to a two point win over the Knights. 

Smith's late heroics capped off a strong performance, as he finished the night with 21 points, five assists, and a steal off the bench. The junior guard has continued to be a spark plug for the Wolves, currently leading all ASUN players in points off the bench. 

Shelton Williams-Dryden once again anchored the Wolves' offense, posting a season-high 28 points and 14 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. Williams-Dryden has been one of the ASUN's best players, as he ranks third in the conference in scoring at 18.3 points per game and second in rebounding at 9.3 boards per contest.

UWG also received a breakout performance from Brady Hardewig, who made his first start since the Wolves faced Tennessee Tech on December 6th, 2025. Hardewig poured in a career-high 18 points while knocking down a career-best six three pointers. That shooting display tied him for the third most three-pointers made in a single game by any player in the ASUN this season. 

After the conference opener, the Wolves sit third in the ASUN standings while ranking second in team rebounding at 38.2 rebounds per game and first in the league in blocked shots, averaging 5.3 per contest. Additionally, UWG holds their opponents to just 32 percent shooting from behind the arc, the third best mark in the ASUN.

Eastern Kentucky University (4-10, 0-1 ASUN) enters the matchup beginning conference play with back-to-back road games and is coming off a narrow 91-89 loss to Queens University in a game that featured 10 ties and seven lead changes.

Despite the loss, the Colonels showcased their offensive depth with five players scoring in double figures. MJ Williams led all scorers with 18 points while adding four rebounds and four assists in just 24 minutes off the bench. 

Montavious Myrick followed with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Turner Buttry contributed 14 points, two rebounds, and three assists. Jackson Holt chipped in 13 points and three rebounds, and Juan Cranford Jr. rounded out the top scorers with 12 points, five assists, and two steals.

Even in defeat, EKU shot nearly 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc, showcasing their ability to score. The Colonels enter the game ranked top 50 nationally in three pointers per game and have already connected on 153 shots from deep this season. In the ASUN, EKU currently is the fifth best offensive team, scoring 79.8 points per game, sits fourth in rebounds per game at 38 per contest, and is third in blocked shots, averaging 3.7 per night.

With the Wolves' strong defense against the three point shot and the Colonels' ability to knock down shots from deep, along with nearly even rebounding numbers, the game looks to be a tightly contested contest and one fans won't want to miss. 

Tipoff is set for Saturday, January 3rd at 2 p.m. Get your tickets and be in attendance to catch all the action live on Maple Street.