EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Interstat) — A crucial Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball matchup awaits Thursday as SIU Edwardsville hosts Southeast Missouri State at the Vadalabene Center. The game is a quick rematch from Jan. 17, when the visiting Cougars (10-14) fell 64-56 to the Redhawks (8-15). That result will be fresh on both teams’ minds as they jockey for position in the league standings. Southeast Missouri State seeks to halt a two-game skid following a 90-57 home loss to Southern Indiana on Feb. 7. The Redhawks will lean on guard Carmen Taylor, who scored a team-high 21 points in that defeat. Taylor has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 11.9 points over her last eight games, including a 14-point performance in the January win over SIUE. The Cougars, meanwhile, aim to snap a four-game losing streak of their own, most recently a 73-64 defeat at Arkansas-Little Rock. Guard Macy Silvey, who posted 11 points and seven rebounds in that contest, will be key. Silvey also scored 11 points in the earlier loss to SEMO and is averaging 9.6 points over her last eight outings. Both teams have struggled for consistency this season. The Redhawks have shown flashes, including a road win at Eastern Illinois on Jan. 31, but have been plagued by offensive droughts. The Cougars have fared slightly better at home in conference play, notching wins over Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State last month. Defensive intensity will likely dictate the tempo. The first meeting was a low-possession, physical game, and a similar grind is expected. Southeast Missouri State will look to control the paint behind Taylor and forward Ainaya Williams, who had 13 points and six rebounds against Southern Indiana. SIU Edwardsville will counter with the guard trio of Silvey, Kiyoko Proctor and Lauren Miller, who combined for 35 points in the last game. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST Thursday. The Redhawks visit Lindenwood on Saturday, while the Cougars host Tennessee-Martin.