TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — Two SWAC teams looking to stabilize their conference standing will meet Saturday when the Florida A&M Rattlers host the Texas Southern Tigers at the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center.

The Rattlers (8-12 overall) have lost three straight, including a 79-66 defeat at Alabama State on Monday. In that game, Kaleb Washington scored 18 points and Tyler Shirley added a team-high 22. Washington has been a key offensive spark, averaging 16.3 points over his last three contests, including an 18-point performance in a narrow 66-65 loss to Jackson State on Jan. 26.

The visiting Tigers (6-14) are coming off a 85-78 road loss at Prairie View A&M on Jan. 31, despite 18 points from guard Zaire Hayes and 19 from forward Troy Hupstead. Hayes has been a consistent contributor for Texas Southern, scoring in double figures in five of the team’s last seven games. He poured in a season-high 18 points in the loss to Prairie View and had 17 in a 96-64 rout of Alabama State on Jan. 27.

Both teams have shown recent flashes, with each posting 3-4 records over their last seven games. Florida A&M will look to protect its home court, where it is 5-3 this season, including SWAC wins over Grambling and Southern in early January. Texas Southern has struggled on the road, with a 2-9 mark away from home.

The matchup will feature a contrast in recent momentum within the series’ context. The game is critical for both teams aiming to build momentum for the final stretch of the regular season before the upcoming SWAC tournament.

Following this contest, Florida A&M will host Prairie View on Monday. Texas Southern continues its road trip at Bethune-Cookman, also on Monday.