Basketball Game Preview: Rootstown Rovers vs. Mineral Ridge Rams

The Rootstown Rovers will head out on the road to face off against the Mineral Ridge Rams at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Rootstown has given up an average of 60.3 points per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Rootstown is headed into Thursday's game looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fourth straight games on Saturday. They took a 59-47 hit to the loss column at the hands of Ravenna.

Meanwhile, Mineral Ridge was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Tuesday as they fell 63-58 to Newton Falls. The loss continues a trend for the Rams in their meetings with the Tigers: they've now lost three in a row.

Rootstown will have to contain Chase Moore as he made an impact in Mineral Ridge's last game. He dropped a double-double with 25 points and ten boards. Moore is becoming a predictor of Mineral Ridge's success: when he posts at least ten rebounds the team is 13-4 (and 2-3 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Landon Bingham, who went 5-for-8 en route to 12 points and six boards.

Mineral Ridge's defeat dropped their record down to 15-7. As for Rootstown, their loss dropped their record down to 10-12.