NEWTON, Kan. (Interstat) — A key NAIA men’s basketball conference matchup is set for Saturday when the Bethel (Kan.) Threshers host the Evangel Valor at Thresher Gym.

The Threshers (15-5) enter looking to halt a three-game skid and avenge an early-season loss to the Valor. Bethel fell 74-69 at Evangel on Dec. 6. Since that defeat, however, Bethel had won seven straight before its recent stumble against Friends, McPherson and Southwestern.

Guard Trenton Patterson will be central to Bethel’s efforts to rebound. He is coming off a 14-point performance in the loss to Southwestern and scored a season-high 34 points in a win over Avila earlier this month. His scoring punch will be vital against an Evangel defense that allows just over 70 points per game.

The visiting Evangel Valor (12-7) have been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses over their last six contests. They are coming off a narrow 73-72 home victory over Ottawa on Wednesday, secured despite shooting just 39% from the field. Forward Jacob Lafferty has been a consistent force for the Valor, averaging a double-double over his last eight games. He posted 16 points and eight rebounds in the win over Ottawa and had 22 points and 12 rebounds in the teams’ first meeting this season.

While Evangel won the December contest, Bethel holds a significant home-court advantage. The Threshers are 9-1 at Thresher Gym this season, with their only loss coming in overtime to Friends on Jan. 21. Evangel, meanwhile, is 3-5 in true road games.

The game could hinge on interior play and rebounding, with Lafferty’s presence for Evangel challenging a Bethel frontcourt that was outrebounded in its recent losses. Containing Patterson’s perimeter scoring will be an equal priority for the Valor defense.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central time on Saturday, Jan. 31.