Preview: Copiah-Lincoln Wolves at East Mississippi Lions

SCOOBA, Miss. (Interstat) — The East Mississippi Lions look to snap a four-game skid when they host the Copiah-Lincoln Wolves in a men’s junior college basketball matchup on Thursday, Jan. 15.

The Lions (8-6) are coming off a high-scoring 107-100 road loss to Northwest Mississippi on Monday, despite 21 points from guard Diovion Famakinde. That defeat extended a January slump for East Mississippi, which has lost four straight since a Dec. 5 victory.

Famakinde has been a consistent offensive bright spot during the slide, averaging 17 points over the last four contests. He posted 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a loss at Calhoun on Dec. 31. Ace McKinnie (13 points, 7 rebounds) and Jace O’Neal (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) also provided production in the most recent defeat.

The visiting Wolves (5-4) enter with momentum from a 78-68 home win over Mississippi Delta on Monday. Forward Tyrell Bowles powered that victory with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds in just 22 minutes of play. Tristian Lucas added 15 points and Moustapha Salekh scored 12.

Bowles’ recent form makes him a key player to watch as Copiah-Lincoln seeks its third win in four games. The Wolves’ season has been marked by narrow results, including a one-point win over Gadsden State and a five-point loss to Delgado in November.

East Mississippi won last season’s meeting between the teams. The Lions will need to shore up a defense that has allowed an average of 99.5 points during their losing streak. The Wolves, who have shown a capacity for both high-scoring outputs and defensive struggles, will test that unit.

Following this contest, East Mississippi travels to face Pearl River on Jan. 20. Copiah-Lincoln’s next game is at home against Holmes on Jan. 20.

Tip-off is scheduled for Thursday night at Keyes T. Currie Coliseum.