The conference tournament was hosted by regular season champion Eastern Kentucky.

[2] Western Kentucky had defeated EKU twice during the season, but their third meeting in the conference tournament championship ended in controversy.

The Hilltoppers held a one-point lead when the game clock expired, however, due to crowd noise, the referees and time keeper did not hear the buzzer.

A foul was called on WKU with no time left and Eastern Kentucky made two free throws to win the game.

[3] This perceived wrong was a factor in Western Kentucky's decision to leave the OVC in 1982.