Basketball Game Preview: Akron Rams vs. Prairie Mustangs

The Akron Rams and the Prairie Mustangs will compete for holiday cheer at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Akron is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They were the clear victor by a 53-27 margin over Idalia on Saturday.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Akron to victory, but perhaps none more so than Caleb Poss, who dropped a double-double on 16 points and 12 rebounds. The contest was Poss' fourth in a row with at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Kolten Randel, who posted 14 points in addition to seven boards and three steals.

Akron smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive boards. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their offensive rebound total in three consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, Prairie can finally bid farewell to their five-game losing streak dating back to last season thanks to their game on Saturday. They strolled past Lone Star with points to spare, taking the game 51-35.

The win got Akron back to even at 2-2. As for Prairie, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-3.

Akron didn't have too much breathing room in their game against Prairie when the teams last played back in December of 2022, but they still walked away with a 56-51 win. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Prairie's Brock Dollerschell, who went 6 of 12 on his way to 18 points and five rebounds. Now that he won't be playing on Thursday, will it be easier for Akron to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.