NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Interstat) — The Central Connecticut Blue Devils will look to avenge a January loss and solidify their standing when they host the Mercyhurst Lakers in a Northeast Conference men’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. The game at William H. Detrick Gymnasium pits teams heading in opposite directions late in the season. The Blue Devils (16-11) have won five of their last seven, while the Lakers (14-15) have dropped three of their last five. Central Connecticut’s Darin Smith enters as one of the league’s most explosive scorers. He poured in a career-high 40 points in a win at New Haven on Feb. 12 and is averaging 22.4 points over his last five games. He was held to 19 points in a 70-51 loss at Chicago State last Saturday. Mercyhurst will counter with forward Qadir Martin, who is coming off a dominant 25-point, 9-rebound performance in a 91-83 home win over Long Island. Martin has scored 20 or more points in four of his last eight contests, though his production has been inconsistent. The Lakers won the first meeting this season, 79-61, at home on Jan. 19. In that game, Mercyhurst limited Central Connecticut to 32.8% shooting from the field. Since that loss, the Blue Devils have improved defensively, holding opponents under 70 points in four of their last six victories. They will need that defensive focus to contain a Mercyhurst team that has scored 90 or more points three times in February. A Central Connecticut win would bolster its position in the conference standings ahead of a Saturday home game against Saint Francis (PA). Mercyhurst, seeking to reach .500, plays at Stonehill on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.