Basketball Game Preview: UR Academy Lions vs. Providence Classical Paladins

The UR Academy Lions will face off against the Providence Classical Paladins at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.

UR Academy is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Lake Pointe Academy just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Friday. They fell 43-34 to the Mariners. The contest marked the Lions' lowest-scoring matchup so far this season.

Meanwhile, Providence Classical lost to NorthPoint Christian Academy on the road by a 61-42 margin last Thursday. The loss continues a trend for the Paladins in their meetings with the NightHawks: they've now lost five in a row.

UR Academy will have to keep a close watch on Malachi Thompson and Grafton Eiff, a pair of players who had a big impact on Providence Classical's prior game. Thompson shot 53% from the field en route to 19 points and six rebounds, while Eiff posted eight points in addition to nine boards and eight steals. Eiff has been hot for a while, having posted three or more steals the last 19 times he's played.

UR Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 3-2. As for Providence Classical, their loss was their first of the season and makes their record 3-1.

UR Academy didn't have too much breathing room in their game against Providence Classical when the teams last played back in January, but they still walked away with a 62-58 victory. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Eiff, who almost dropped a double-double with 22 points and nine assists. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will the Lions still be able to contain Eiff? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.