SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the back half of the season will meet Saturday when the Oregon State Beavers visit the San Diego Toreros at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Oregon State (11-12) arrives after a narrow 72-69 road win at Loyola Marymount on Wednesday. San Diego (10-13) is also coming off a victory, having outlasted Pepperdine 92-88 in overtime the same night.

The matchup features a pair of programs hovering near .500 and looking to string together consecutive wins, a rarity for both this season. The Beavers have not won back-to-back games since late December. The Toreros have alternated wins and losses over their past six contests.

A key player to watch for Oregon State is guard Josiah Lake, who is coming off a 13-point, 3-assist performance in the win over Loyola Marymount. Over his last five games, Lake is averaging 14.2 points and 3.6 assists, serving as a primary offensive catalyst. He scored 21 points in the Beavers’ 76-70 home win over Loyola Marymount earlier this month.

San Diego will counter with guard Assane Diop, who matched a career-high with 21 points in the overtime win at Pepperdine. Diop’s production has been variable, but he showcased his high ceiling with an 11-point, 10-assist double-double in a win over Bethesda on Jan. 17. His backcourt mate, Toneari Lane, also scored 21 points against Pepperdine.

The game will be the first of a home-and-home series between the teams this season. They are scheduled to meet again in Corvallis, Oregon, on Feb. 25.

Following this contest, Oregon State begins a two-game homestand against Washington State and Gonzaga. San Diego embarks on a two-game road trip, visiting Saint Mary’s and Loyola Marymount.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PST on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Jenny Craig Pavilion on the University of San Diego campus.