Preview: Central Arkansas Bears at West Georgia Wolves

CARROLLTON, Ga. (Interstat) — Two ASUN Conference teams trending in opposite directions will meet Thursday night when the Central Arkansas Bears visit the West Georgia Wolves at The Coliseum.

Central Arkansas (9-10, 5-1 ASUN) enters on a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 98-69 victory over North Florida on Saturday. The Bears have found their footing in conference play after a challenging non-conference slate.

The Bears are led by guard Camren Hunter, who is averaging 20.5 points over his last six games. Hunter scored 26 points in just 22 minutes in the win over North Florida and has been a consistent offensive catalyst during the team’s surge.

West Georgia (9-9, 3-3), meanwhile, looks to halt a three-game skid. The Wolves have struggled defensively during the losing streak, allowing an average of 86.7 points per game in losses to Jacksonville, Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast.

The Wolves counter with high-scoring guard Shelton Williams-Dryden, who has topped 28 points in three of his last six outings. He poured in a season-high 32 points to go with 13 rebounds in a win over Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 3, showcasing his ability to carry the offensive load.

The matchup features two of the conference’s most dynamic scorers in Hunter and Williams-Dryden, setting the stage for a potent backcourt duel. Central Arkansas will aim to extend its conference success by exploiting West Georgia’s recent defensive woes. The Wolves, seeking to regain momentum at home, must find answers on the defensive end to contain Hunter and the Bears’ efficient offense.

Thursday’s contest is the first of a regular-season home-and-home series between the teams, who will meet again in Conway, Arkansas, on Feb. 14.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.