Basketball Game Preview: Martin Luther Cougars vs. Portledge Panthers

Martin Luther is 0-8 against Portledge since January of 2016 but things could change on Wednesday. Having just played yesterday, the Martin Luther Cougars will head out on the road to face off against the Portledge Panthers at 4:30 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, both will really light up the scoreboard.

Martin Luther is headed into Wednesday's matchup looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their eighth straight game on Tuesday. They were outmatched by Knox and fell 99-64. The Cougars were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 55-33.

Despite their defeat, Martin Luther saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Damien Peterson, who went 7 of 13 on his way to 17 points, was perhaps the best of all. Another player making a difference was Jabraill Moultrie, who posted nine points along with five rebounds and three blocks.

Even though they lost, Martin Luther was working as a unit and finished the game with 18 assists. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their assist total in three consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Portledge came into Sunday's contest having lost three straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with an 81-78 victory over La Salle Institute on Sunday. The win was all the more spectacular given the Panthers' disadvantage in MaxPreps' New York basketball rankings (they are ranked 393rd, while the Cadets are ranked 85th).

Portledge's victory bumped their record up to 2-8. As for Martin Luther, their loss dropped their record down to 5-11.

Martin Luther was taken down by Portledge 91-47 when the teams last played back in January. That matchup was all but decided by halftime, at which point Martin Luther was down 48-17.