Basketball Game Preview: Mallard Creek Mavericks vs. Harding University Rams

Mallard Creek and Harding University are an even 4-4 against one another since November of 2014, but not for long. The Mallard Creek Mavericks will venture away from home to challenge the Harding University Rams at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Last Friday, Mallard Creek had to suffer through a 77-32 loss at the hands of North Mecklenburg. While losing is never fun, the Mavericks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 153rd, while the Vikings are ranked tenth).

Meanwhile, Harding University hadn't done well against Chambers recently (they were 0-5 in their previous five matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. Harding University escaped with a win against Chambers by the margin of a single free throw, 76-75.

Harding University's win came from a few key players Mallard Creek will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Kaharri Coleman, who went 7 of 13 en route to 24 points and five rebounds. The game was his third in a row with at least ten points. Another player making a difference was Lonnie Walker, who went 6 for 11 on his way to 15 points along with eight boards and five assists.

Harding University was working as a unit and finished the game with 23 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Harding University's record now sits at 6-14. As for Mallard Creek, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 10-10.

Mallard Creek strolled past Harding University in their previous matchup back in January by a score of 69-54. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Coleman, who almost dropped a double-double on 24 points and nine rebounds. Now that he's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Mallard Creek still be able to contain Coleman? There's only one way to find out.