SAN MARCOS, Texas  _  Two basketball teams desperately needing a victory will square off tonight at Strahan Coliseum when the University of Central Arkansas Bears take on the Texas State Bobcats at 7 p.m.

The Bears (7-14, 2-7) are riding a five-game losing streak, while the Bobcats (8-14, 1-8) are winless in their last six attempts. With seven conference games remaining, both teams are battling for one of eight spots in the Southland Conference postseason tournament.

Texas State enters the game as the top scoring team in the league at 78.1 pionts per game. UCA is fifth (74.2). The teams are comparable in most other statistical categories except free-throw shooting, where the home team has a decided advantage. Texas State averages 71.2 percent, third in the league, while UCA is last at 55.1 percent.

UCA leads the league in assists per game and is third in rebounding. TSU is second in the SLC in three-pointers made per game and third in three-point percentage.

The Bobcats have not won a road game this season but are 7-3 at home at Strahan Coliseum. UCA has won just twice on the road this season, at Northwestern State and at Tennessee Martin. Texas State is 2-0 against UCA in games played in San Marcos.

UCA hopes to have the services of sophomore guard LaQuentin Miles, the league’s No. 2 scorer who missed Saturday’s game with UT Arlington with an ankle injury. Miles is averaging 17.1 points per game, leads the league in steals (2.2 per game) and is fifth in field goal percentage (52.3). Senior forward Brooks Ybarra leads the Bobcats in scoring (12.8), three-point percentage (43.0), which puts him fifth in the SLC.

The Bears return home against McNeese State at 4 p.m. Saturday before beginning a three-game road trip.

For coverage of tonight’s game, go to www.ucagameday.com.