Preview: Southern Crescent Tigers at Gordon State Highlanders

GORDON STATE COLLEGE, Ga. (Interstat) — Two Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Wednesday when the Gordon State Highlanders host the Southern Crescent Tigers.

The game, scheduled for Feb. 18, 2026, pits a struggling Southern Crescent squad (1-12) against a Gordon State team (6-12) looking to stabilize its season on its home floor.

The Highlanders won the previous meeting this season, a 90-81 victory at Southern Crescent on Jan. 14. Gordon State has shown flashes, including a narrow 89-87 win over Georgia Highlands on Feb. 11 and a 99-71 rout of Andrew on Jan. 28. However, consistency has been an issue, as evidenced by a 65-86 loss at South Georgia State in their last outing on Feb. 14.

In that defeat, forward Donovan Hand was a bright spot for Gordon State, recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. Hand will be a player to watch for the Highlanders.

Southern Crescent arrives mired in a lengthy slump, with its only victory this season an 81-68 home win over Andrew on Feb. 7. The Tigers are coming off a high-scoring 90-83 loss at Albany Tech on Feb. 14, where guard Diaz Garrette erupted for 24 points in just one minute of play, according to provided statistics. Garrette, who scored just one minute in a game on Jan. 21, has shown explosive scoring potential and will be the key offensive threat for the Tigers.

Despite the disparate records, a statistical projection from Interstat forecasts a tightly contested matchup, simulating a 100-100 final score.

For Gordon State, the game begins a critical late-season stretch. For Southern Crescent, it represents another opportunity to break through after a difficult season. Tip-off is set for Wednesday night at Gordon State College.