MARACAIBO, Venezuela (Interstat) — The Zulia Gaiteros, owners of the Venezuelan SLB’s best record, visit Maracaibo on Monday night looking to extend their dominance over a struggling home side that has lost three straight meetings.

Zulia (21-3) has won eight of its last nine games, including a 97-73 thrashing of Maracaibo on Friday. The Gaiteros boast the league’s most potent offense, fueled by guard Jesse Zarzuela, who is averaging 17.5 points over his last eight appearances. In Friday’s win, Zarzuela logged 17 points, three rebounds and six assists in 20 minutes. His recent output includes a 30-point outburst in a loss at Caracas on May 4 and a 21-point effort against Car. Spartans on May 2.

Zulia’s depth also showed Friday as forward Luis Duarte posted a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) and swingman Nahziah Carter added 16 points. The Gaiteros have won their last three games by an average of 22 points, and their only defeat since April 21 was a 78-81 loss at Caracas.

Maracaibo (12-14) enters the matchup on a two-game losing streak. After Friday’s loss to Zulia, the team fell 77-69 at Anzoátegui on May 5. Forward Delwan Graham, Maracaibo’s most productive player in the last meeting, had 17 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes. He is the focal point of an offense that has struggled against Zulia’s defense. In three head-to-head games this season — all Zulia wins — the Gaiteros have outscored Maracaibo 271-219, an average margin of 17.3 points.

Maracaibo’s recent form is erratic. The club has alternated wins and losses over its last six games, with victories over Avila and Caracas sandwiched between defeats. Guard Myke Henry posted 12 points and four assists Friday, while point guard Mark Lyons dished seven assists.

The series history heavily favors Zulia, which has won the past three meetings dating to April 4. That game, a 78-63 Zulia victory in Maracaibo, remains the closest contest between the teams this season.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time at Gimnasio Pedro Elías Belisario Aponte.