Preview: Georgia Highlands Chargers at Southern Crescent Tigers

GRIFFIN, Ga. (Interstat) — Two Georgia junior college men’s basketball teams heading in opposite directions will meet Saturday when the Southern Crescent Tigers host the Georgia Highlands Chargers.

The Chargers (8-12) enter the contest looking to snap a two-game skid, while the Tigers (2-18) are coming off a rare victory. Southern Crescent defeated East Georgia State 63-60 on Wednesday, marking just its second win of the season.

Despite their overall record, the Chargers have shown recent competitiveness, with five of their last eight games decided by three points or fewer or in overtime. They will lean on guard Devan Lonon, who is coming off a explosive performance. In last Wednesday’s 67-57 loss to South Georgia Tech, Lonon scored 20 points in just eight minutes off the bench. His scoring punch provides a key spark for Georgia Highlands.

Southern Crescent will counter with forward Magatte Naing, a consistent presence in the paint. Naing has recorded double-digit rebounds in five of his last eight games, including a 13-rebound, 9-point effort in a narrow 77-74 loss to South Georgia State on Monday. His rim protection, evidenced by multiple blocks in several contests, will be crucial against a Chargers team that previously beat the Tigers handily.

The teams met earlier this season on Feb. 4 in Rome, with Georgia Highlands securing an 89-64 victory. The Chargers have won four of their last eight games overall, while the Tigers’ win over East Georgia State was their first since Feb. 7.

Saturday’s game tips off at 3 p.m. EST at Southern Crescent Technical College. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the contest is projected to be a dead-even affair, forecasting a 100-100 tie.