Preview: Mineral Area Cardinals at State Fair Roadrunners

SEDALIA, Mo. (Interstat) — The Mineral Area College Cardinals will look to sweep the season series when they visit the State Fair Community College Roadrunners in a men’s junior college basketball game Wednesday night.

Mineral Area (15-7) has won both meetings this season, including a 79-74 victory at home on Jan. 23. The Cardinals also routed the Roadrunners 90-61 on Jan. 7. However, Mineral Area enters on a one-game skid, falling 70-63 at Moberly Area on Saturday.

The Cardinals are led by standout Nazir Allen, who has been a consistent force. In the Jan. 23 win over State Fair, Allen posted a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Over his last seven games, he is averaging 14.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest.

State Fair (6-12) seeks to halt a two-game losing streak after a 72-67 home loss to Moberly Area on Feb. 4. The Roadrunners’ offense has shown flashes, scoring 103 points in a win over Missouri State-West Plains on Jan. 17, but consistency has been an issue.

A key for the Roadrunners will be forward JP Ndong. He scored 22 points in each of State Fair’s two most recent victories and tallied 14 points and six rebounds in the latest matchup with Moberly Area. Containing Allen while finding production from Ndong will be critical for the home team.

Mineral Area holds a significant edge in the standings, but the Roadrunners will aim to leverage home court and avenge their earlier losses. The Cardinals continue a tough stretch of region play, with a road game at Indian Hills looming on Feb. 18. State Fair hosts Three Rivers on Saturday.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center.