ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — A surging Maryland-Baltimore County squad looks to continue its climb in the America East standings when it visits a struggling Albany team on Saturday at SEFCU Arena.

The Retrievers (12-8, 5-2 America East) have won five of their last seven games and sit near the top of the conference. They are coming off a 55-64 road loss to first-place Vermont on Thursday, but had previously strung together a three-game winning streak. Forward Caden Diggs has been a consistent offensive force, scoring in double figures in six of the last seven contests, including a 14-point effort against the Catamounts.

Albany (7-15, 3-5) has lost three straight since a two-game win streak earlier this month. The Great Danes fell 68-77 at home to NJIT on Thursday despite a 23-point, six-assist performance from guard Amir Lindsey. Lindsey has been a workhorse, playing every minute in four of the last five games and averaging over 20 points per contest in that stretch. His backcourt battle with UMBC’s primary scorers will be pivotal.

The Retrievers won the first meeting this season, 78-60, at Binghamton on Jan. 19, while Albany secured a 75-68 home win over Vermont the same day, highlighting the league’s parity. UMBC’s balanced attack, which saw Jose Roberto Tanchyn add 13 points in the Vermont loss, contrasts with Albany’s reliance on Lindsey’s high-volume production.

Defensive intensity may decide the outcome. UMBC has held opponents under 70 points in four of its five conference wins, while Albany has conceded 77 or more points in all three games of its current skid. A Retrievers victory would solidify their position in the conference’s upper tier, while the Great Danes are in urgent need of a home win to stop their slide.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST. The teams will meet again in Baltimore on Feb. 21.