HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — Two teams with identical records and a recent history of close games will meet with a season on the line when seed Kennesaw State faces seed Western Kentucky in a Conference USA tournament quarterfinal on Thursday.

The Owls (18-13) and Hilltoppers (18-13) split their regular-season series, each winning on their opponent’s home floor. Kennesaw State won the most recent meeting 72-69 on Jan. 28, part of a stretch where the Owls won five of six games. Western Kentucky took the first matchup 81-65 on Jan. 17.

Both teams enter the postseason looking to rebound from losses. Kennesaw State fell 79-76 at New Mexico State on March 7, despite 16 points from forward Braedan Lue. Western Kentucky was routed 92-67 at Florida International the same day.

Lue has been a consistent force for the Owls, averaging 13.1 points and 2.3 blocks over his last eight games. His defensive presence, including a five-block performance against Louisiana Tech on Feb. 21, will be key against a Western Kentucky offense that averages 79.1 points per game.

The Hilltoppers counter with guard Armelo Boone, who is coming off a 13-point, 8-rebound effort in the loss to FIU. Boone has provided versatile production, averaging 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists over his last six contests.

Western Kentucky has been installed as a narrow 1-point favorite, with the over/under set at 159.5 points. The winner will advance to Friday’s semifinal round at the Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center.

The game tips off at approximately 9 p.m. EDT Thursday.