CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — A pivotal Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball matchup is set for Saturday at TD Arena as the College of Charleston Cougars host the Monmouth Hawks. The Cougars (18-10 overall) enter with a stronger record and recent form, having won four of their last five games. Their most recent outing was a 74-61 road victory at North Carolina A&T on Thursday. Guard Jlynn Counter has been the engine for Charleston, averaging 15.6 points and 6.6 assists over his last seven games. His playmaking will be central against a Monmouth defense that has been inconsistent. The Hawks (14-13) look to rebound from a 79-69 loss at UNC Wilmington on Thursday. Their success has largely followed the scoring of guard Kavion McClain, who poured in 27 points in that defeat. McClain is averaging 19.5 points per game over his last four contests, including a 20-point, six-assist performance in a 93-73 rout of Drexel on Feb. 12. Monmouth has shown resilience, with three of its last four wins coming by three points or fewer, but its road record is a concern. This game represents a critical opportunity for both teams to improve their positioning for the upcoming conference tournament. Charleston seeks to solidify a top-four seed and protect its home court, where it has been strong this season. Monmouth aims to climb back to .500 in league play and secure a winning season record. The matchup at point guard between Charleston’s Counter, a dynamic distributor and scorer, and Monmouth’s high-volume scorer McClain will likely dictate the tempo. The Cougars’ depth and home-court advantage give them an edge, but the Hawks have proven capable of winning tight games against quality opponents. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.