LEE, N.H. (Interstat) — The Vermont Catamounts look to build on a solid non-conference slate when they open America East play on the road Saturday against the struggling New Hampshire Wildcats.

Vermont (8-7) enters conference action having won three of its last five, including a 65-56 victory at Pepperdine on Dec. 6. The Catamounts are coming off a hard-fought 75-69 overtime loss at Princeton on Tuesday, where TJ Long scored 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Long, a key player for Vermont, has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 13 points over his last five games. He will be central to Vermont’s efforts against a New Hampshire defense allowing 74.2 points per game.

New Hampshire (4-9) seeks to halt a two-game skid after a 86-55 defeat at Nebraska on Tuesday. The Wildcats have struggled away from Lundholm Gym, going 1-7, but are 3-2 at home this season.

Wildcats guard Jack Graham has provided a scoring spark, averaging 14.5 points over his last four contests. He scored 17 in the loss to Nebraska and had 18 at Saint Louis on Dec. 21.

The matchup pits Vermont’s experience against a New Hampshire team searching for consistency. The Catamounts have faced a tougher schedule, with close losses to Princeton and Iona, while the Wildcats’ wins have come against Stonehill, Boston University in overtime, and non-Division I Emmanuel.

History favors Vermont, which has dominated the series in recent years. The intrastate rivals will meet again in Burlington on Feb. 7.

Saturday’s winner gains early momentum in the America East standings. Following this game, Vermont hosts Binghamton on Jan. 8, while New Hampshire travels to NJIT on the same date.

Tip-off at Lundholm Gym is set for 1 p.m. EST.