JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — A Southern Conference rematch with revenge on its mind awaits Thursday when the East Tennessee State Buccaneers host the Western Carolina Catamounts at ETSU Athletic Center.

The Buccaneers (15-6, 5-3 SoCon), near the top of the league standings, will look to avenge a 72-68 loss in Cullowhee just two weeks ago on Jan. 14. ETSU has since won three straight, including an 84-55 rout of The Citadel last Friday where Jaylen Smith scored 17 points and dished five assists. The guard has been a key facilitator for a balanced Bucs attack during their conference surge.

Western Carolina (7-12, 3-5) arrives with momentum from an 88-58 blowout of Virginia Military Institute last Saturday. The Catamounts are led by guard Cord Stansberry, who torched ETSU for 20 points in the first meeting and is averaging 16.4 points over his last eight games. His playmaking will be critical for a team seeking its first road conference win of the season.

Despite their losing record, the Catamounts have proven capable, with three of their five SoCon losses coming by six points or fewer. Containing Smith and improving its perimeter defense will be paramount for Western Carolina to sweep the season series.

ETSU, however, has been strong at home, boasting a 9-2 record in Johnson City. The Bucs’ defense, which allows just 66.2 points per game in conference play, will aim to stifle Stansberry and force turnovers against a Catamounts squad that has struggled away from home.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST. The game continues a tight series; seven of the last ten meetings have been decided by single digits. Following this contest, ETSU travels to face Wofford on Saturday, while Western Carolina hosts Samford.