PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (Interstat) — A tight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rematch is set for Monday when the North Carolina Central Eagles visit the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks.

The Eagles (11-16) edged the Hawks (9-20) 65-63 just four weeks ago on Feb. 2 in Durham. Both teams enter Hytche Center coming off victories, with NCCU defeating Delaware State 74-60 on Saturday and UMES topping South Carolina State 69-57 the same day.

North Carolina Central will lean on forward Kelechi Okworogwo, who is coming off a 15-point, 3-block performance in the win over Delaware State. Over his last eight games, Okworogwo has averaged 12.4 points and has been a consistent defensive presence. He scored just four points in the first meeting against UMES but has seen an expanded role since.

The Hawks counter with guard Michael Teal, who scored 13 points in the team’s latest win. Teal dished out six assists in the narrow loss at NCCU last month and will be central to UMES’s offensive flow. Dorion Staples (15 points) and Christopher Flippin (14 points) provided key scoring support in the win over South Carolina State and will need to replicate that production.

Both teams have struggled for consistency this season. The Eagles have alternated wins and losses over their last six games. The Hawks’ victory on Saturday snapped a five-game losing skid. With the MEAC tournament looming, securing a late-season conference win is critical for momentum.

The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST Monday at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.