Preview of Saturday’s Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Game MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — A critical late-season Southern Conference matchup with postseason implications is set for Saturday when the Mercer Bears host the Samford Bulldogs at Hawkins Arena. Both teams enter the Feb. 21 contest on the heels of narrow results in their last outings, but moving in opposite directions. Samford (16-12) escaped with a 78-75 road win at The Citadel on Thursday, its sixth consecutive victory. Mercer (17-11) suffered a tough 94-90 home loss to Chattanooga that same afternoon, snapping a two-game win streak. The Bulldogs will look to continue their February surge, which includes a dominant 69-49 home win over Mercer just two weeks ago on Feb. 7. In that game, Samford’s defense stifled the Bears, holding them to a season-low in points. Player to watch for Samford is guard Cade Norris, who is coming off a 19-point performance in the win at Citadel and has been a consistent contributor during the winning streak. For Mercer, guard Zaire Williams will be key; he erupted for a game-high 27 points in the loss to Chattanooga and will be seeking redemption after being held to eight points in the first meeting with Samford. The recent head-to-head result looms large. Mercer’s 49-point offensive output in the Feb. 7 loss was its lowest of the season. The Bears, who average over 79 points per game at home, will need a significant offensive rebound against a Samford defense that has found its rhythm. Samford’s winning streak has transformed its season, pulling it into the conference’s upper tier. Mercer, meanwhile, aims to protect its home court and solidify its standing before the conference tournament. The Bears are 11-3 at Hawkins Arena this season. The game will be a contrast in momentum, with the surging Bulldogs trying to sweep the season series and the Bears desperate to halt their slide and avenge a lopsided defeat. After Saturday, Samford hosts VMI on Feb. 26. Mercer travels to face Western Carolina on Feb. 25.