Preview: Meridian Eagles at East Mississippi Lions

SCOOBA, Miss. (Interstat) — The East Mississippi Lions look to return to the win column and climb above .500 when they host the struggling Meridian Eagles in a men’s junior college basketball matchup on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

The Lions (8-7) enter on a three-game skid, including a narrow 69-68 home loss to Copiah-Lincoln on Jan. 15. A bright spot in that defeat was the play of DeAndre Lewis, who posted 16 points and six rebounds. Lewis has been a consistent performer, averaging 15 points over his last three contests.

East Mississippi’s offense has shown potency, scoring 100 points in a road loss to Northwest Mississippi on Jan. 12, but defensive consistency has been an issue during the losing streak.

They face a Meridian squad (0-6) desperately seeking its first victory of the season. The Eagles are coming off a 73-57 home loss to Mississippi Gulf Coast on Jan. 12 and have lost their games by an average margin of 18.8 points. Their most recent outing was 10 days ago, providing an extended period for adjustments.

Meridian’s schedule has been challenging, with five of its six losses coming on the road. Their offense has struggled to find a rhythm, failing to reach 70 points in four of their six games. Containing Lewis and slowing the Lions’ transition game will be a primary concern for an Eagles defense allowing over 84 points per game.

For East Mississippi, this game represents a critical opportunity to stabilize its season before a road test at Jones on Jan. 26. The Lions will be heavily favored at home against a winless opponent, making focus and avoiding complacency key factors.

The matchup hinges on whether Meridian’s extended break can yield a more competitive performance or if East Mississippi’s athleticism and scoring ability will prove too much as they aim to halt their slide.

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