POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in trajectories will be on display Wednesday night when the surging Three Rivers Raiders host the struggling Missouri State-West Plains Grizzlies in a men’s junior college basketball matchup.

The Raiders (13-5) enter having won three straight and seven of their last eight games. Their most recent victory was a 78-65 decision over Mineral Area on Saturday. Coach Brian Bess’s squad has established itself as a defensive force, consistently holding opponents in the 60s during its current win streak.

Conversely, the Grizzlies (3-9) are mired in a three-game skid, having lost those contests by an average margin of 27 points. They are coming off a 103-86 road loss at State Fair on Saturday. Missouri State-West Plains has not won since Dec. 7, a span of six consecutive defeats.

A key player to watch for Three Rivers is Josiah Cotto. The guard has been a steady contributor, logging 25 minutes with 2 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists in a tight 70-67 win over Moberly Area on Jan. 7. His versatility fuels the Raiders’ balanced attack.

For the Grizzlies, guard Dassiah Green will look to provide a spark. He scored 6 points with 3 rebounds in a Jan. 10 loss at Moberly Area, but was limited to just one minute of action in each of the last two games. Missouri State-West Plains will need a more sustained contribution from him to challenge the Raiders.

This game marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the Region XVI foes. They will meet again in West Plains on Feb. 7. For the Grizzlies, Wednesday’s contest represents a daunting opportunity to reverse their fortunes against one of the region’s top teams. For the Raiders, it is a chance to solidify their standing and avoid a letdown against an opponent they are heavily favored to beat.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Libla Family Sports Complex.