TRINIDAD, Colo. (Interstat) — The Trinidad State Trojans will look to improve their position in the Region IX standings when they host the struggling Otero Rattlers in a men’s junior college basketball game on Tuesday, February 24.

The Trojans (12-15) enter the contest having split their last two, including a decisive 90-68 home victory over Lamar on Feb. 18. They will be heavily favored against an Otero squad that has lost 10 of its last 11 games and carries a 3-20 overall record.

Trinidad State won the previous meeting this season handily, defeating Otero 96-77 on Feb. 11. The Trojans have shown more offensive consistency, while the Rattlers are coming off a 104-51 road loss to Lamar on Saturday where they were outmatched.

A key player for the Trojans is Manning Shareef, who is coming off a 19-point performance in a loss to Southeast and a dominant 22-point, 12-rebound double-double in the win over Lamar. His recent surge provides a significant scoring and rebounding threat for the home team.

Otero will rely on guard SirDevin Roberts, who has been a bright spot during the losing streak. Roberts scored 12 points in the loss to Lamar and added 11 points against Southeast last week, serving as one of the team’s primary offensive options.

For Trinidad State, the game represents a crucial opportunity to build momentum before closing the regular season with home games against North Platte and McCook later in the week. Otero, seeking to snap a four-game skid, will return home to face those same two opponents on Friday and Saturday.

The matchup tips off at 7:30 p.m. local time at Trinidad State Junior College.