CEDAR CITY, Utah (Interstat) — A surging Utah Tech looks to complete a season sweep of in-state rival Southern Utah when the teams meet in a Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Centrum Arena.

The Trailblazers (17-12) have won five of their last seven games and are coming off an 80-72 road victory at Tarleton State on Feb. 21. They previously defeated the Thunderbirds (9-19) twice this season: 102-91 in St. George on Jan. 24 and 80-66 in Cedar City on Dec. 29.

Utah Tech guard Jusaun Holt has been a key catalyst, averaging 13.1 points per game over his last seven contests. He is coming off a 19-point, five-assist performance in the win over Tarleton State, part of a balanced attack that also saw Ethan Potter and Chance Trujillo each score 17 points.

Southern Utah seeks to halt a two-game skid and improve its home record after an 87-83 loss at Abilene Christian last Saturday. In that game, guard Logan Stephens erupted for a season-high 20 points in just 21 minutes off the bench. Stephens’ scoring punch provides a potential spark for a Thunderbirds offense that ranks near the bottom of the WAC.

The matchup pits one of the conference’s most efficient offenses against its most porous defense. Utah Tech averages 78.2 points per game in WAC play, while Southern Utah allows a league-worst 82.4 points per game in conference contests. The Trailblazers’ potent attack, which shot over 50% from the field in their January rout of SUU, will test a Thunderbirds defense that has struggled to string together stops.

Despite the disparity in records, the rivalry element adds volatility. Southern Utah will honor its seniors in its final home game of the season, looking to salvage a split in the season series and build momentum before the WAC tournament.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MST Saturday. Southern Utah concludes its regular season next week with home games against Utah Valley and California Baptist, while Utah Tech finishes at home against Utah Valley on March 7.