NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — A key Ohio Valley Conference rematch awaits Thursday night as the Tennessee State Tigers host the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans at the Howard Gentry Complex.

The Tigers (13-7, 4-3 OVC) look to complete a regular-season sweep after edging the Trojans 84-79 in Little Rock on Jan. 3. Tennessee State enters with momentum from a 96-86 road win at Lindenwood last Saturday, where Aaron Nkrumah scored 22 points and Travis Harper erupted for 30.

Nkrumah, a player to watch for Tennessee State, averaged 22 points and five assists in two games last week. He scored 22 in the first meeting with Little Rock.

The Trojans (9-11, 4-3), however, have shown they can challenge the league’s top teams, having won four of their last six conference games. Their success is fueled by guard Johnathan Lawson, who has been on a remarkable scoring run. Lawson has poured in 20 or more points in six of his last eight games, including a 21-point effort in the earlier loss to Tennessee State and 23 points in a win at SIU Edwardsville on Jan. 8.

Arkansas-Little Rock is looking to bounce back from a 65-70 loss at Southeast Missouri State last Thursday, a game where Lawson again led the way with 21 points.

The matchup features two of the OVC’s most dynamic scorers in Lawson and Nkrumah, setting the stage for a pivotal conference clash. A win would pull the Trojans even with the Tigers in the league standings, while Tennessee State aims to solidify its position in the upper tier.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST Thursday.