JACKSON, Miss. (Interstat) — A pair of struggling SWAC programs seeking a positive note near the end of the season will meet Thursday when Jackson State hosts Mississippi Valley State in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game.

The matchup at Lee Williams Athletic Center pits the Tigers (9-20) against the Delta Devils (3-27) in a rematch of a Feb. 7 contest won decisively by Jackson State, 97-81, in Itta Bena.

Jackson State enters having lost three straight, most recently an 82-57 defeat at Texas Southern on Feb. 28. Guard Daeshun Ruffin, the Tigers’ player to watch, scored 15 points in that loss. He has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 23.4 points over his last five games, including a 28-point, 9-rebound, 6-assist performance in a win over Florida A&M on Feb. 14.

Mississippi Valley State snapped a six-game losing streak with a narrow 70-69 road win at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Feb. 28. The Delta Devils are led by guard Michael James, who is in the midst of a prolific scoring stretch. He poured in 32 points against Jackson State in the first meeting and is averaging 23.9 points over his last eight contests. In the win over UAPB, James led the way with 21 points.

Despite their records, both teams have shown recent flashes. The Tigers have won two of their last five, while the Delta Devils’ two wins in the last month have both come by a single point, suggesting a capacity for close-game execution.

The game will be the regular-season finale for both teams before the SWAC tournament. Jackson State will look to leverage its home court and superior record to complete a season sweep, while Mississippi Valley State aims to build on its most recent victory and carry momentum into the postseason.