The Georgia Southern University men’s basketball team will travel to face off against rival Appalachian State University tonight at 7 p.m.

This will be the first of two matchups against the Mountaineers, who are 7-10 overall (3-3 Southern Conference). After winning five games in a row, the Mountaineers have lost their last two games by seven points combined.

Despite the Mountaineers’ record, the Eagles could be in for a tough game.

The Mountaineers are second in the SoCon in scoring offense, averaging 72.9 points per game and shooting 37 percent from downtown, also best in the conference.

The Mountaineers have five players that average at least 10 points per game.

Sophomore forward Jay Canty and senior forward Nathan Healy are both in the top ten in scoring for the SoCon averaging 15.7 (fifth) and 14.6 (eighth) points per game.

Eagles’ junior forward Eric Ferguson is right outside the top ten in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game, putting the forward at eleventh in scoring in the conference.

GSU has the tools to compete with the Mountaineers, defense is the key to winning this game and the Eagles’ competitive advantage.

The Eagles are ranked third in the SoCon in scoring defense giving up only 64.3 points per game and holding opponents to a 42.6 field goal percentage.

With the Eagles traveling to play the Mountaineers, the crowd will make it as difficult as possible for GSU.

Home court advantage is an understatement for the Mountaineers; they have a record of 5-2 at home and are only 2-8 on the road.

GSU struggles on the road with a similar record to the Mountaineers, as the Eagles are 2-7 away from Hanner Fieldhouse.

Rebounding is another area where the Eagles may struggle; the Mountaineers average 35.8 rebounds per game in comparison to GSU averaging 30.9.

The Mountaineers and the Eagles are two teams with similar records that are polar opposites in style of play, with the Mountaineers excelling in offense and the Eagles having a good defense.

The Eagles are not looking to drop two conference games in a row and especially not to the rival Mountaineers.