Basketball Game Preview: Laurel Spartans vs. Bladensburg Mustangs

The Laurel Spartans will face off against the Bladensburg Mustangs at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. One thing working in Laurel's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last ten matchups.

Laurel will head into Tuesday's contest hoping to keep the good times rolling: they had to skate by with only a two-point margin when they last took the court, which might have inspired the 27-point drubbing they dealt High Point on Tuesday. Laurel breezed by High Point to the tune of 89-62. The Spartans have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won nine games by 23 points or more this season.

Laurel relied on the efforts of Jermaine Taylor, who went 8 for 17 en route to 21 points in addition to six rebounds and three blocks, and Gilbert Osafo, who dropped a double-double on 17 points and ten boards. The match was Taylor's eighth in a row with at least ten points. Another player making a difference was Amadou Kaloga, who posted eight points and six assists.

Laurel smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 22 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in three consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Bladensburg was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fourth straight loss. They were beaten by Eleanor Roosevelt 70-28. The game marked the Mustangs' lowest-scoring match so far this season.

Bladensburg's defeat dropped their record down to 4-11-1. As for Laurel, they pushed their record up to 13-2 with the victory, which was their eighth straight on the road.

Everything came up roses for Laurel against Bladensburg in their previous matchup back in December of 2024, as the squad secured an 81-47 win. Does Laurel have another victory up their sleeve, or will Bladensburg turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.