CARBONDALE, Ill. (Interstat) — Two Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball teams riding the momentum of rare recent victories will meet Thursday when Southern Illinois hosts Evansville. The Salukis (11-14) and Purple Aces (6-19) both snapped losing streaks with impressive wins on Monday. Southern Illinois won 80-65 at Indiana State, while Evansville defeated visiting Illinois State 88-80. The matchup at SIU Arena will feature two of the league’s top individual performers. Evansville is led by AJ Casey, who is coming off a 28-point performance in the win over Illinois State. Over his last five games, the standout is averaging 17.2 points. Southern Illinois counters with guard Quel’Ron House, who posted 14 points and five assists in the upset at Indiana State. House has scored 20 or more points in two of his last four contests, including a 26-point outing in a loss to Murray State on Feb. 6. Despite their poor overall records, both teams have shown recent signs of life. The Salukis have won three of their last five games. The Purple Aces, though just 1-5 in their last six, pushed Drake to the wire in a four-point road loss on Jan. 28 and took Valparaiso to overtime on Feb. 6 before their breakthrough Monday. The game is the first of two regular-season meetings between the schools. They will conclude the series in Evansville on March 1. Southern Illinois holds a commanding historical advantage in the series and will look to protect its home court, where it is 8-5 this season. Evansville, just 1-11 in true road games, seeks to build on its highest-scoring output in conference play this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.