SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The surging Salt Lake City Stars will look to maintain their position near the top of the G League’s Western Conference when they host the struggling Santa Cruz Warriors on Monday night at Delta Center.

The Stars (18-10) enter the matchup having won five of their last eight games, though they are coming off a narrow 117-116 overtime loss to Memphis on Wednesday. Salt Lake City has dominated the season series against Santa Cruz, winning all three meetings by an average margin of 22.3 points. The most recent was a 133-103 road victory on Nov. 29.

Santa Cruz (9-17) has shown recent signs of life, winning three of its last four games, including a 110-103 victory over Sioux Falls on Friday. The Warriors, however, remain near the bottom of the conference standings and face a steep challenge against a Stars team that has consistently had their number.

A key matchup will feature Santa Cruz guard L.J. Cryer against Salt Lake City’s interior anchor, Mohamed Bamba. Cryer is coming off a strong performance of 25 points and seven assists in Friday’s win and has averaged 18.5 points over his last four games. He will need to penetrate a defense commanded by Bamba, who is a dominant force in the paint. Bamba recorded a monstrous stat line of 24 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks in the Stars’ last outing.

For Santa Cruz to break its losing streak against Salt Lake City, it will need another efficient night from Cryer and continued production from forwards Malevy Leons (21 points, eight rebounds on Friday) and Charles Bassey (18 points, 15 rebounds). The Warriors must improve their defense after allowing the Stars to average 126.7 points in the prior meetings.

Salt Lake City will rely on Bamba’s rim protection and scoring, alongside backcourt contributors Max Abmas and Sean East, who combined for 33 points and 10 assists against Memphis.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST at Delta Center. The Stars begin a two-game road trip in South Bay on Thursday, while the Warriors return home to host Iowa next Friday.