Alabama A&M & Jackson State will be battling Tuesday night to begin their SWAC conference play. (The Huntsville Times/Bob Gathany)

Two SWAC competitors are looking to face off in their first conference game of the year, as the Jackson State Tigers square off against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

With the lack of defense exhibited by both squads, this matchup could become a shootout, as Alabama A&M averages 62.7 points per game while allowing 77.3 points per game. The JSU Tigers are no better on the defensive end, giving up 72.3 points per contest while scoring 55.3.

The Bulldogs (2-7) looked impressive in back to back victories over Oakwood and Talladega, but have failed to gain any momentum heading into this SWAC matchup, having lost six consecutive games. Alabama A&M will be led by senior Casey Cantey, who is averaging 14 points a game.

Jackson State (2-10) has seen a season full of promise start as a season to forget. The team’s only wins have come against Concordia and Southern Methodist, with a five game losing streak in the middle of each win.

The Tigers lead the league in three pointer percentage at 35%, and freshman Kelsey Howard of JSU leads the league at 44 percent. This will serve as a major problem to the Bulldogs as a big defensive weakness is defending the three-point line- they’re eighth in the SWAC in that category.

Tipoff starts Tuesday night at 7:30 in Jackson, Mississippi at the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center.