ABILENE, Texas – After suffering a pair of Heartland Conference homes loses last weekend, the McMurry University men's basketball team looks to rebound on the road.

McM takes on University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. and Rogers State (Okla.) University Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

The War Hawks will have their hands full Thursday evening.

The Lions (12-3, 5-2 HC) average 86.8 points per game – which is the most in the Heartland. The Lions' defense is just as vicious, and holds opponents to 73.3 p.p.g.

UAFS uses a balanced offense to put away opponents, however, its offense runs through arguably one of the best backcourt combinations in the Heartland.

Freshman Seth Youngblood (Roland, Okla./Roland HS) averages 14.1 p.p.g. and is a 47 percent (45-of-94) 3-point shooter on the season.

Backcourt mate, senior Jake Toupal (Broken Arrow, Okla./Broken Arrow HS) is just as dangerous.

Toupal is a 44 percent (32-of-73) 3-point shooter and hits 89 percent (26-of-29) of his free throws. He also averages 14 p.p.g.

McM's schedule doesn't get any easier Saturday at RSU (10-6, 5-3 HC).

The Hillcats are led by Damion Hooks (Tulsa, Okla/Southwest Baptist University). The 6-foot-5 swingman averages 17.4 p.p.g and is a 53 percent (89-for-168) shooter from the field.

Robinson Odoch Opong (Quebec City, Quebec/Long Island University-Brooklyn) will present problems, too.

The 6-foot-3 combo guard averages 16.1 p.p.g and is a 41 percent (47-of-113) 3-point shooter.

The War Hawks will need to rely on seniors Kourtney Goff (Rochester, N.Y./Southern Illinois University) and Alfred Perez (Spring, Texas/Klein Collins HS).

Goff – who missed last Saturday's game against Lubbock Christian University with an injury – averages 13.7 p.p.g and has handed out 57 assists – both team highs.

Perez is a force in the middle and averages 12.6 p.p.g and 5.1 r.p.g.

Connor Robinson (Austin, Texas/Bowie HS) Alex Lewis (Converse, Texas/Temple College) and average 9.6 and 9.5 p.p.g.