Preview: Tougaloo Bulldogs at Dillard Bleu Devils

NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — A surging Tougaloo squad looks to complete a regular-season sweep when it visits the Dillard Bleu Devils in a men’s NAIA basketball matchup on Thursday, Jan. 22.

The Bulldogs (10-4) have won five straight games, including a dominant 75-51 victory over Dillard in Jackson, Mississippi, just two weeks ago on Jan. 8. Dillard (6-7) seeks to halt that streak and gain ground in the standings on its home floor at Dent Hall.

Tougaloo’s run has been fueled by forward Antonio Patterson, who is averaging 20.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game during the winning streak. Patterson is coming off a 28-point, 9-rebound performance in a 75-58 win over Wiley (Texas) on Saturday. Willie Anderson added 20 points in that contest.

Dillard, meanwhile, snapped a three-game skid with a 67-61 road win at Huston-Tillotson on Saturday. Miles Williams posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. Williams will be a key figure as the Bleu Devils look for a stronger performance after being held to 51 points in the earlier meeting with Tougaloo.

In that Jan. 8 game, Patterson led Tougaloo with 12 points in just 24 minutes, while Williams was limited to 6 points for Dillard. The Bulldogs’ defense has been a hallmark of their streak, holding opponents to an average of 60.8 points over the last five games.

Dillard’s offense has shown flashes, notably in a 109-point overtime outing in a loss to Paul Quinn on Jan. 15, but consistency has been an issue.

The Bleu Devils will need to find an answer for Tougaloo’s balanced attack and stifling defense to avoid the sweep and improve their position before a home stretch against Philander Smith and Wiley next week. Tougaloo aims to maintain its momentum before heading to Southern University at New Orleans on Saturday.

Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CST.