Preview: Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Southern in SWAC Men’s Basketball

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (Interstat) — A tightly contested SWAC rivalry will be renewed Thursday when the Southern Jaguars host the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions at Gateway Center Arena.

The matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions entering the March 12 contest. Southern (15-15 overall) has won three of its last four games, including an 88-85 road victory at Alabama A&M on March 5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (13-18) snapped a five-game losing streak with a dominant 83-48 win at Alcorn State that same day.

The Golden Lions will lean on guard Quion Williams, who has been a consistent offensive force. He is averaging 16.1 points over his last seven games, including a 35-minute, 18-point, five-assist performance in the rout of Alcorn State. His backcourt mate, Trevon Payton, added 13 points and seven assists in that win.

Southern counters with its own high-scoring guard in Terrance Dixon. He is averaging 16.7 points over his last six outings. Dixon was instrumental in the Jaguars’ recent road sweep, scoring 19 points against Alabama A&M and 13 points with five blocks at Alabama State on March 3.

The season’s first meeting between these teams was a classic, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff escaping with a 75-74 road win on Jan. 24. That result adds another layer of intrigue as Southern seeks to defend its home court on a neutral floor and even the season series.

Southern has shown better recent form, but the Golden Lions’ decisive victory last week suggests they have corrected recent struggles. The game will likely hinge on the backcourt duel between Williams and Dixon, with both capable of carrying their teams offensively.

The SWAC contest tips off at 8 p.m. EDT Thursday in College Park.