SHELBY, N.C. (Interstat) — Two Big South Conference men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Friday when the South Carolina Upstate Spartans visit the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs at Paul Porter Arena.

South Carolina Upstate (9-12) enters having lost three of its last four, including an 83-69 home defeat to UNC Asheville on Wednesday. Gardner-Webb (2-19) looks to halt a seven-game losing streak, most recently a 91-56 road loss to Longwood on the same night.

Despite the disparity in overall records, Interstat’s ELO system projects Gardner-Webb with a 57.1% probability to win this conference matchup. The game is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams, with a rematch scheduled for Feb. 28 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The Spartans will lean on guard Mason Bendinger, who is coming off a career-high 28-point performance against UNC Asheville. Over his last six games, Bendinger is averaging 16.5 points. He scored 22 points in an overtime road win at Charleston Southern on Jan. 14.

Gardner-Webb’s offense will look to forward DJ Jefferson, who has shown scoring bursts amid the team’s struggles. Jefferson posted 21 points against Radford on Jan. 14 and 20 points at High Point on Jan. 7. His production has been inconsistent, however, with three single-digit scoring outings in the same six-game span.

South Carolina Upstate’s recent results have been volatile, featuring the overtime win at Charleston Southern followed by a 50-point output in a loss to Winthrop. Gardner-Webb’s season has been defined by defensive struggles, allowing 92 or more points in three of its last four contests.

Friday’s game offers both teams a critical opportunity to build confidence ahead of the final month of conference play. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern.