LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Interstat) — A surging Merrimack squad looks to continue its climb when it visits struggling Rider in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Warriors (15-9) have won five of their last six games, including an 87-70 road victory at Mount Saint Mary’s on Thursday. They are led by guard Kevair Kennedy, who is averaging 21.1 points over his last seven contests. Kennedy scored 25 points with seven assists in the win over Mount Saint Mary’s and has been a model of consistency, logging at least 35 minutes in six of those seven games.

Merrimack edged Rider 68-66 in their first meeting this season on Dec. 4.

The Broncs (3-19) have lost eight of their last nine, most recently a 52-81 defeat at Marist on Thursday. Their lone bright spot in that stretch was an 81-78 home win over Saint Peter’s on Feb. 1, fueled by a 25-point performance from guard Flash Burton. Burton leads Rider’s offense, averaging 18.4 points over his last seven games and posting a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists in a narrow 95-90 loss at Manhattan on Jan. 30.

The game pits one of the conference’s hottest players in Kennedy against a Rider team desperate to stop its skid. The Warriors’ recent success has been built on efficient offense and staunch defense, holding opponents to 70 points or fewer in four of their last five wins. Rider, conversely, has allowed 81 or more points in five of its last nine losses.

For Merrimack, a victory would solidify its position in the upper tier of the MAAC standings as the regular season enters its final month. For the Broncs, it represents a critical opportunity to salvage momentum at home before a challenging stretch of conference play. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.