Aggies, Mountaineers Set for Rematch in Wilburton

WILBURTON, Okla. (Interstat) — A month after an upset on the road, the Eastern Oklahoma State Mountaineers will look to repeat the feat on their home floor when they host the Murray State (Okla.) Aggies in a men’s junior college basketball game Thursday night.

The matchup is a stark contrast in season trajectories. The visiting Aggies (15-7) enter on a strong run, having won three of their last four, including an 81-71 victory over Connors State on Monday. The Mountaineers (6-9), meanwhile, are looking to rebound from a 75-46 road loss to Western Oklahoma State last Saturday.

Murray State’s consistency has been fueled by forward Abeeng Agot, a dominant force in the paint. Over his last five games, Agot is averaging 10.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per contest. He is coming off an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double in the win over Connors State, where he was complemented by Haki Muhammad II’s 19 points.

Eastern Oklahoma State’s offense runs through guard Roy Henderson III. Despite the team’s recent struggles, Henderson has been a prolific scorer, dropping 31 points in a loss to Connors State on Feb. 12 and averaging 21.4 points over his last five outings where he played significant minutes.

The Mountaineers won the first meeting this season, 94-88, in Tishomingo on Jan. 19. That result snapped a two-game winning streak in the series for Murray State and will undoubtedly be on the minds of the Aggies as they seek revenge.

For Murray State, this game begins a critical four-game stretch to close the regular season, with a quick rematch against Western Oklahoma State looming on Saturday. Eastern Oklahoma State faces a similarly tough closing slate, with a road game at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M next on Monday.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Eastern Oklahoma State College gymnasium.