Preview: Struggling UHSP Faces Hot Williams Baptist in NAIA Matchup

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in momentum will be on display Saturday when the Williams Baptist Eagles host the UHSP men’s basketball team in an NAIA contest.

The Eagles (4-2) enter riding a three-game winning streak, having dominated their recent competition by an average margin of 30.3 points. Their latest victory was a 107-71 rout of Crowley’s Ridge on Tuesday. UHSP (1-13), meanwhile, has lost eight straight games, including a 67-72 defeat at Crowley’s Ridge on Thursday.

Williams Baptist’s surge has been fueled by guard Deion Wesson, who is averaging a blistering 32.3 points over his last three games. He dropped 33 points in each of his last two outings, adding seven assists in the win over Crowley’s Ridge.

UHSP will counter with its own high-scoring guard, Landon Engelage. He is coming off a 25-point performance on Thursday and has scored 18 or more points in five consecutive games, averaging 20.0 points during that stretch. Support in the recent loss came from Jasmin Suvalija (12 points, seven rebounds) and Brennen Walker (eight points, five rebounds).

The Eagles’ offense has been prolific, surpassing 98 points in all three wins during their streak. UHSP’s defense has struggled, allowing an average of 91.5 points per game during its eight-game skid.

This game is the first of a regular-season series between the teams, who are scheduled to meet again at UHSP on Feb. 7.

Williams Baptist will look to continue its offensive explosion and protect its home court. UHSP seeks to leverage Engelage’s consistent scoring and find a defensive answer to snap its lengthy losing streak. Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.