PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — A pivotal Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball matchup with postseason implications is set for Thursday when the Drexel Dragons host the Monmouth Hawks at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. Both teams enter the contest hovering near .500, with Drexel at 13-12 overall and Monmouth at 12-12. The Dragons will look to complete a regular-season sweep after dominating the Hawks 73-51 in West Long Branch, New Jersey, on Jan. 15. In that game, Drexel’s defense stifled Monmouth, holding Hawks’ star guard Jason RiveraTorres to just four points. RiveraTorres, however, arrives in Philadelphia playing some of his best basketball. The dynamic guard is coming off a 25-point performance in a 76-75 road win at Stony Brook on Feb. 5 and has averaged 22.3 points over his last three games. His versatility was on full display in a Jan. 24 win at Campbell, where he posted 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Drexel counters with its own recent standout in forward Garfield Turner. Turner notched a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in the Dragons’ most recent outing, an 82-77 victory at Elon on Feb. 7. His interior presence will be critical against a Monmouth team that has shown offensive firepower but inconsistency. The Hawks have alternated wins and losses over their last six games, including an overtime win over North Carolina A&T and a narrow road loss at Hampton. Drexel has been similarly uneven, following its win at Elon with a 21-point loss at Campbell just two days prior. With the CAA tournament seeding on the line, this contest represents a key opportunity for both squads to gain momentum. Monmouth seeks revenge and a winning record, while Drexel aims to protect its home court and solidify its position in the conference standings. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.