CLINTON, S.C. (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for position in the tightly packed Big South Conference standings will meet Thursday when the Presbyterian Blue Hose host the Longwood Lancers at the Templeton Center. Both teams enter the Feb. 19 contest with nearly identical records, as Longwood sits at 14-14 overall and Presbyterian is 13-14. The game is a quick rematch of a Jan. 10 matchup in Farmville, Virginia, which Longwood won 77-70. The Lancers are coming off an 82-75 overtime victory over South Carolina Upstate on Saturday. They will lean on the hot hand of Alphonzo Billups, who erupted for 25 points and eight rebounds in that win. Over his last three games, the guard has averaged 17.7 points. His scoring surge will be vital for a Longwood squad that has split its last six contests. Presbyterian counters with its own recent momentum, having secured a narrow 58-57 road win at UNC Asheville on Saturday. Forward Jaylen Peterson was instrumental in that victory, posting 20 points and eight rebounds. Peterson has been a consistent force, recording a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in a win over Gardner-Webb on Feb. 7 and averaging 14.3 points over his last three outings. The Blue Hose have found success at home in conference play, winning three of their last four at the Templeton Center. Containing Billups will be a primary defensive focus for a Presbyterian team that allows an average of 73.2 points per game. Longwood’s path to victory likely involves controlling the glass, as they outrebounded Presbyterian 41-31 in the January meeting. The Lancers’ ability to convert second-chance opportunities could prove decisive in a matchup between two evenly balanced teams. The outcome will have immediate implications for the Big South tournament seeding, with both clubs looking to build a winning streak in the final stretch of the regular season.