PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — A pivotal late-season Big Sky Conference men’s basketball clash is set for Monday night when the Portland State Vikings host the Weber State Wildcats at the Stott Center.

The Vikings (18-10, 8-7 Big Sky) enter as the favorite, looking to solidify their conference tournament seeding and snap a three-game skid. Their recent losses came on a difficult Montana road trip. The Wildcats (16-14, 9-6), meanwhile, arrive with momentum, having won four of their last five games to climb the standings.

The matchup features a compelling duel at guard between two of the league’s top scorers. Weber State is powered by Tijan Saine, who is averaging 22.1 points over his last eight games. He scored 24 points in Saturday’s 83-73 road win at Idaho State. For Portland State, Jaylin Henderson has been a consistent force, posting 20.7 points per game over the same stretch, including a 30-point, 7-assist performance in a win over Idaho State earlier this month.

Weber State’s recent surge has been fueled by offense, averaging 81.2 points during their 4-1 run. Portland State’s defense, which had been a strength during a five-game win streak in January, has faltered lately, allowing an average of 74.7 points in their three consecutive losses.

The teams’ only previous meeting this season was an overtime thriller on New Year’s Day, with Portland State escaping Ogden, Utah, with a 95-90 victory. Henderson led all scorers with 31 points in that game, while Saine countered with 26 for the Wildcats.

Portland State has been installed as a 4.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 145.5 points.

A win for Weber State would bolster its position near the top of the conference standings with one week remaining in the regular season. A victory for Portland State is crucial to halt their slide and regain confidence before the postseason. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.