CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — A critical Colonial Athletic Association rematch with significant conference tournament seeding implications is set for Thursday when the Hofstra Pride visit the College of Charleston Cougars at TD Arena. Both teams enter the 7 p.m. tipoff with identical 16-9 overall records, adding another layer of urgency to the matchup. The Cougars won the first meeting 66-64 in Hempstead on Jan. 29, a result both teams remember vividly. For Hofstra, the game is an opportunity to avenge that narrow loss and build on the momentum of a two-game winning streak. The Pride dominated Towson 71-49 last Saturday, following an 80-63 victory over Northeastern. Guard Preston Edmead has been the catalyst, averaging 18 points and 8.3 assists over the last three contests. In the first game against Charleston, Edmead scored 18 points with 7 assists. Charleston looks to rebound from a 76-64 home loss to UNC Wilmington on Monday. The Cougars had won four straight prior to that, including their victory at Hofstra. Guard Jlynn Counter, who torched the Pride for 22 points and 5 assists in January, remains a dynamic offensive force. He is averaging 21.2 points over his last five games. The matchup features two of the CAA’s premier guards in Edmead and Counter, whose duel could decide the outcome. Hofstra will need a strong performance from Cruz Davis, who had 16 points and 5 assists against Towson, to support Edmead. Charleston will rely on Christian Reeves, who scored 13 points in the loss to UNCW, to provide secondary scoring. With the conference standings tightly packed, this result will carry weight for positioning in next month’s CAA tournament. Hofstra seeks a split of the season series and a valuable road win, while Charleston aims for a sweep to solidify its place in the upper tier of the league.