Redlands, Western Oklahoma State Meet in Tight Junior College Matchup

ALTUS, Okla. (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for position in the regional standings will meet Thursday when the Western Oklahoma State Pioneers host the Redlands Cougars in a men’s junior college basketball game.

The Pioneers (6-6) enter at .500, having won two straight, including a 68-64 road victory at Northern Oklahoma-Enid on Monday. The Cougars (5-9) look to snap a two-game skid after a 79-68 loss at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on Feb. 16.

This is a rematch of a Jan. 19 contest won by Redlands, 73-64, at home. In that game, the Cougars held Western Oklahoma State to 37% shooting from the field.

A key matchup will feature two of the region’s top performers. Redlands is led by guard Cristian McElveen, who is coming off a 21-point effort in the loss to Murray State (Okla.) on Feb. 12 and recorded a triple-double (19 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) against Connors State on Feb. 5.

Western Oklahoma State counters with forward Stephen Semey, who has posted double-doubles in two of his last three games. Semey had 16 points and seven rebounds in the win over Northern Oklahoma-Enid and dominated with 11 points and 15 rebounds in a 75-46 rout of Eastern Oklahoma State on Feb. 14.

The Pioneers have found a rhythm defensively, holding opponents to an average of 60 points during their two-game win streak. The Cougars, meanwhile, have shown offensive firepower but have allowed an average of 91 points in their last three losses.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest is a toss-up, projecting a 100-100 final score.

For Redlands, containing Semey on the glass will be critical, while Western Oklahoma State must account for McElveen’s all-around playmaking. The outcome could hinge on which team establishes its preferred tempo early.

Tip-off is set for Thursday night at Pioneer Pavilion.