Preview: Tarleton State vs. Abilene Christian in WAC Tournament

LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — Two rivals seeking to salvage sub-.500 seasons will meet with their year on the line when the Tarleton State Texans face the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the opening round of the Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball championship Wednesday.

The eighth-seeded Wildcats (13-18) and ninth-seeded Texans (14-17) split their two regular-season meetings, setting up a rubber match in a win-or-go-home scenario at Orleans Arena.

Abilene Christian won the most recent encounter 73-59 at home on Feb. 14, but Tarleton State answered with a 65-62 overtime victory in Stephenville two days later. The Wildcats also won an 84-80 contest on Jan. 8.

Both teams limp into Las Vegas on losing streaks. The Texans have dropped three straight, including a 60-65 home loss to UT Arlington on March 5. The Wildcats have lost four consecutive games, most recently a 57-64 defeat to the same Mavericks on March 7.

The game features two key guards. Tarleton State will rely on Dior Johnson, who is averaging 25.0 points over his last three games. He scored 28 in the loss to UT Arlington.

For Abilene Christian, Chilaydrien Newton will be central. He averaged 14.5 points in the two February games against Tarleton State, including a 15-point performance in the Wildcats’ win. Newton is coming off a 12-point effort in 36 minutes against UT Arlington.

The winner will advance to face top-seeded Grand Canyon in the tournament quarterfinals on Thursday. The loser will see its season end.

Wednesday’s game is scheduled for 9 p.m. EDT.