BIG SPRING, Texas (Interstat) — A pivotal men’s junior college basketball showdown with postseason implications is set for Thursday when the Midland Chaparrals visit the Howard (Texas) Hawks at Dorothy Garrett Coliseum.

Both teams enter with nearly identical sterling records. Midland is 23-4 overall, while Howard sits at 23-5. The matchup is a quick rematch of a Feb. 2 meeting, which the Hawks won 91-83 on the Chaparrals’ home floor, adding a layer of urgency for Midland.

The Chaparrals, winners of six of their last seven, are led by guard Yeison Liberato. He is coming off a strong all-around performance of 16 points, four rebounds and five assists in a 79-71 win over Western Texas on Monday. Liberato has been a consistent facilitator, averaging 5.0 assists over his last three games.

Howard looks to rebound from a 68-63 road loss to South Plains on Monday. The Hawks will lean on forward Terry Copeland, who scored 21 points in that defeat. Copeland has been a high-volume scorer, averaging 19.2 points over his last five contests, including a 22-point, seven-rebound effort in a win over Western Texas on Feb. 19.

The game features a contrast in recent momentum. Midland has navigated a series of tight victories, including a 69-68 win over New Mexico and a 75-73 win at Odessa this month. Howard’s path has included both dominant wins, like a 94-53 rout of Clarendon, and narrow escapes, such as an 82-81 victory over Odessa.

With the regular season winding down, the result will carry significant weight for regional seeding. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST.