Preview: Central Wyoming at Casper, Men’s Junior College Basketball

CASPER, Wyo. (Interstat) — Region IX rivals Central Wyoming and Casper will meet for the second time this season Saturday when the Rustlers visit the Thunderbirds in a men’s junior college basketball game.

The Rustlers (5-11) won the first matchup 76-64 on Jan. 14 in Riverton, led by Daniel Smith’s 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Central Wyoming enters having lost a heartbreaker in double-overtime to Gillette, 74-73, on Wednesday. Smith was dominant in the loss, posting 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Smith, a player to watch for Central Wyoming, has been on a tear, averaging 20.1 points and 9.7 rebounds over his last seven games. He has recorded a double-double in four of those contests.

Casper (7-14) arrives with momentum after an 85-83 road victory at Laramie County on Wednesday. Channing Cade led the Thunderbirds with 25 points and eight rebounds in that win. Cade, Casper’s player to watch, has averaged 17.8 points and 10.2 rebounds over his last five outings, a significant step up from his quiet 4-point performance in the January loss to Central Wyoming.

Both teams have struggled for consistency this season. The Rustlers’ win over Casper in January is their only victory in their last six games. The Thunderbirds have shown flashes, winning two of their last three, but have yet to string together more than two wins all season.

The rematch will hinge on the interior battle between Smith and Cade, and which team can capitalize on critical possessions down the stretch. Casper will look to defend its home court and avenge its earlier loss, while Central Wyoming aims to reignite its season with a road sweep of the series.

The game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. tipoff at the Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym.