The Cougars (22-7), who are ranked No. 12 in the most recent NAIA Division II poll, will put a 10-game winning streak on the line when the game tips off. MVNU ranks ninth in the nation in scoring offense by averaging 85.3 points per contest and is fifth in three-pointers made per game (9.7). The Cougars are also tenth in the nation shooting 38.7 percent from three-point range (282-for-729).

Individually, senior guard Ben Falkenberg leads the team in scoring (18.6 points per game) and assists (121) as well as leading all of NAIA Division II shooting 90.8 percent at the free throw line (109-for-120). He is also ninth in the nation in three-pointers made per game (3.3) and 13th in three-point percentage (45.1 percent). Senior forward Jadin Thomas adds 14.2 points and leads the team in rebounds (8.6 per game) and blocked shots (35). Senior guard Dan Borcherdt contributes 11.2 points per game and has nailed 84 three-pointers, while sophomore guard Brandon Short (7.6 ppg), junior wing Travis Brown (6.6 ppg), senior wing Andy Francis (6.3 ppg), and junior post Bryce Sanborn (5.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg) add to the balanced attack.

Northwestern Ohio (18-13) will enter Saturday’s game after knocking off No. 6 seed Daemen (N.Y.) College 100-81 on Tuesday in the AMC Tournament first round. The Racers, who have won eight of their last nine games with the lone loss coming to NAIA Division II No. 4 Walsh University, ranked seventh in NAIA Division II averaging 14.9 offensive rebounds per contest. Northwestern Ohio is shooting 34.1 percent from three-point range (183-for-536) and has blocked 112 shots.

Individually, Josh Vorst leads the Racers by averaging 17.1 points, while Jason Sarno adds 15.8 points per contest. Kyle Gillette has developed into one of the top posts in the conference and averages 12.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks, and Isaac Bowers contributes 8.2 points per game.

These two teams are familiar with each other as this will be the third meeting between them this year with the home team prevailing handily in each of the previous two games. MVNU posted a 97-58 win in the Physical Education Center on November 15 with Falkenberg leading five Cougars in double figures with 19 points. Then, the Racers returned the favor in The Garage on January 17 with a 76-56 win as Sarno nailed six treys and scored 24 points, while Gillette posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. However, that was also MVNU’s last loss as the Cougars have bounced back to win their next 10 games to close the regular season.

The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to the championship game on Tuesday to face the winner of Saturday’s other semifinal at Walsh that features the top-seeded Cavaliers (25-3) hosting No. 5 seed Notre Dame College (19-11), who advanced with an 81-74 overtime victory at No. 4 seed University of Rio Grande in the first round. The AMC Tournament champion will earn the conference’s second automatic berth into the NAIA Division II national tournament in Branson, Mo.