(Interstat) — Winless Royals Seek First Victory Against Wildcats

LAKE REGION STATE (0-7) at NORTH DAKOTA ST SCIENCE (1-2)

WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m. CST WHERE: Wildcats Gymnasium

Two men’s junior college basketball teams on divergent paths will meet Thursday as the winless Lake Region State Royals travel to face the North Dakota St Science Wildcats.

Lake Region State enters the contest desperate for its first victory of the season, carrying an 0-7 record across all competitions. The Royals are coming off a 79-69 home loss to Gillette on Jan. 2, their seventh consecutive defeat to open the campaign. The team has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 99.1 points per game in its losses.

The Royals will lean on forward Dalen Leftbear, who is coming off a strong performance in the loss to Gillette. Leftbear logged 29 minutes, scoring 14 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Support has come from guards Remy Davis Warrington (10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists vs. Gillette) and Dane Hagler (9 points, 4 rebounds).

North Dakota St Science holds a 1-2 record, last playing in a 89-70 road loss to Indian Hills on Dec. 6. The Wildcats’ lone win was a decisive 90-58 home victory over Marshalltown on Dec. 5. In the loss to Indian Hills, forward Cham Okey posted a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while John Angau added 13 points and seven rebounds.

The Wildcats have shown a capacity for explosive offense, averaging 80 points in their two home games this season. They will look to exploit a Royals defense that has surrendered 113 points or more in three of its seven losses.

This game marks the first of a home-and-home series between the teams this season. They will meet again at Lake Region State on Sunday, Feb. 1.

For the Royals, the search for a winning formula continues. For the Wildcats, the game represents an opportunity to build momentum and secure a conference victory at home before a challenging road stretch later this month.