VALPARAISO, Ind. (Interstat) — The Valparaiso Beacons, riding a surge of late-season momentum, will host the struggling Drake Bulldogs in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball rematch Wednesday night at the Athletics-Recreation Center. The Beacons (16-13, 8-8 MVC) have won four of their last five games, including a 71-67 road victory at Illinois-Chicago on Saturday. They sit in the middle of the conference standings and are looking to solidify their positioning ahead of the league tournament. Conversely, the Bulldogs (12-17, 5-11) are mired in a seven-game losing skid, their most recent a 66-61 home loss to Southern Illinois on Feb. 18. Drake’s last victory came over a month ago, an 82-78 win against Evansville on Jan. 28. This matchup is a quick turnaround from a meeting earlier this month, which Valparaiso won 81-76 in Des Moines on Feb. 9. In that game, Drake guard Jalen Quinn scored 33 points, while Valparaiso forward JT Pettigrew answered with 23 points to lead the Beacons. Quinn has been a consistent bright spot for Drake during its slide, averaging 23.6 points over the last eight games. He is coming off a 23-point performance against Southern Illinois. Pettigrew has been pivotal for Valparaiso’s recent success, averaging 14.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists over the last five contests. His all-around play was key in narrow wins over Bradley and Indiana State. The game will feature contrasting styles, with Valparaiso seeking to control the tempo and leverage its recent defensive form, while Drake will rely heavily on Quinn’s offensive explosiveness to try and snap its prolonged slump. A win for the Beacons would secure the season sweep and continue their push toward a winning conference record. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST Wednesday. Valparaiso travels to Evansville on Saturday, while Drake’s next game is at home against Northern Iowa on March 1.