SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — A critical Southern Conference women’s basketball matchup with postseason implications is set for Thursday when the Mercer Bears visit the Wofford Terriers at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium. Both teams enter the Feb. 19 contest with nearly identical records. Mercer is 15-10 overall, while Wofford sits at 14-11. The tight standings add urgency to the rematch of Wofford’s 67-64 victory in Macon on Jan. 24. That prior meeting will be fresh in the minds of both squads, particularly Mercer guard Nahawa Diarra and Wofford forward Queen Ikhiuwu, who were standout performers. Diarra scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the loss. She has been a consistent force for the Bears, averaging double figures in scoring over her last several games, including a 14-point effort in a 48-68 loss at Samford on Feb. 14. Ikhiuwu dominated the January matchup with a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double. She is coming off a strong performance in Wofford’s 73-54 rout of Western Carolina on Feb. 14, where she posted 14 points and nine rebounds. Her interior presence will be a key focus for the Terriers. The teams are trending in opposite directions entering Thursday. Mercer has lost two of its last three, including the decisive defeat at Samford. Wofford has won three straight conference games, most recently holding UNC Greensboro to just 38 points in a Feb. 12 victory. A Mercer win would even the season series and solidify its position in the conference standings. A Wofford victory would complete the regular-season sweep and extend its winning streak, building momentum for a push toward the top of the league table. The guard play of Diarra against the interior strength of Ikhiuwu will likely dictate the tempo and outcome of this pivotal SoCon clash.