Preview: UNC Greensboro Spartans at Mercer Bears

MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — The Mercer Bears will look to complete a regular-season sweep and solidify their standing in the Southern Conference when they host the UNC Greensboro Spartans on Thursday afternoon at Hawkins Arena.

The matchup features teams trending in opposite directions. Mercer (13-8 overall) enters with a winning record and sits just two weeks removed from a 102-92 victory over these same Spartans on Jan. 17. UNC Greensboro (8-13) is looking to halt a two-game skid, including a decisive 89-66 home loss to Furman last Friday.

The game will hinge on a compelling backcourt duel between two of the league’s top scorers. For UNC Greensboro, junior guard Justin Neely has been a consistent bright spot, averaging 20.4 points over his last eight games. He scored 20 points with nine rebounds in the loss to Furman and had 22 in a win at VMI last Wednesday.

Mercer counters with dynamic guard Baraka Okojie, who torched the Spartans for 25 points in the first meeting. Okojie is coming off a 27-point, 8-assist performance in a narrow 80-77 loss at Wofford last Saturday and has averaged 22.6 points over his last five contests.

The Bears have shown a potent offense, scoring 100 or more points three times in conference play. Containing that attack will be a primary challenge for a Spartans defense that allowed Furman to shoot 54% from the field.

Mercer has won three of its last four at home. UNC Greensboro is 2-7 in true road games this season.

Thursday’s contest is the only scheduled meeting between the programs in Macon this season. Following this game, Mercer will host VMI on Saturday. UNC Greensboro continues its road trip at The Citadel on Saturday.