Preview: Malcolm X Hawks at Southeastern Blackhawks

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (Interstat) — A key men’s junior college basketball matchup with postseason implications is set for Saturday when the Malcolm X Hawks visit the Southeastern Blackhawks.

Both teams enter with identical 10-win records, though Malcolm X holds a better overall mark at 10-5. Southeastern sits at 10-7. The Blackhawks won the first meeting this season, 67-60, at Malcolm X on Dec. 10.

The Hawks are riding a two-game winning streak, including a 103-88 victory over Olive-Harvey on Thursday. Southeastern has also won two straight, most recently an 87-66 win over Kennedy-King on Thursday.

A player to watch for Southeastern is guard Prophet Fields, who has been a consistent all-around force. In the win over Kennedy-King, he filled the stat sheet with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a block in 30 minutes. Over his last three games, Fields is averaging 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

For Malcolm X, guard Karim Lebon-Mohamed is a key contributor. He scored five points in a 94-50 rout of Wilbur Wright on Jan. 27. The Hawks boast a potent offense, having scored 94 or more points in three of their last five games.

The game will be a test of momentum for both squads as they navigate the second half of their schedules. Malcolm X will look to avenge its earlier loss to the Blackhawks and improve its standing, while Southeastern aims to protect its home court and build on its recent defensive performances, having held its last two opponents under 70 points.

Following this contest, Malcolm X travels to face Richard J. Daley on Feb. 5. Southeastern’s next game is at home against Sauk Valley on Feb. 4.

Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Loren Walker Arena.