Preview: Odessa Visits Howard in Key Junior College Men’s Basketball Clash

BIG SPRING, Texas (Interstat) — A pivotal late-season men’s junior college basketball matchup is set for Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, as the Odessa Wranglers visit the Howard (Tex.) Hawks at Dorothy Garrett Coliseum.

The game features a rematch of a Jan. 22 contest, which Odessa (17-7) won 65-59 at home. Howard (21-4), boasting the superior overall record, will look to defend its home court and avenge that earlier defeat.

Howard enters on a strong note, having defeated Western Texas 72-55 on Feb. 19. Forward Terry Copeland led the Hawks with 22 points and seven rebounds in that victory. Copeland has been a consistent force, scoring 22 points in two of his last three outings.

Odessa also comes in with momentum after an 85-68 road win at Frank Phillips on Feb. 19. The Wranglers are led by guard Ahmere Carson, who is averaging 21.7 points over his last seven games. In the win over Frank Phillips, Carson posted 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. His backcourt play will be critical against a tough Howard defense.

The Hawks have been dominant at home this season, with their last loss at Dorothy Garrett Coliseum coming in early January. Their offense, averaging over 80 points per game in recent weeks, will test an Odessa team that has shown resilience in close games, including a 64-60 win over Western Texas on Feb. 16.

For Odessa, containing Copeland and supporting Carson with secondary scoring from players like Ziyade Ndancky and Jaiden Reynolds will be key. Howard will aim to control the tempo and use its home-court advantage to reverse the result from January.

This contest has significant implications for regional standings as both teams enter the final stretch of conference play. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST.