SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — A pair of West Coast Conference teams heading in opposite directions will meet Friday when the San Francisco Dons host the San Diego Toreros at War Memorial Gymnasium.

San Francisco (9-6) looks to rebound from a road loss at Oregon State, while San Diego (6-8) aims to halt a two-game skid after a high-scoring defeat to Gonzaga. The matchup tips off a critical January conference slate for both programs.

The Dons have been strong at home this season, boasting notable non-conference victories over Loyola Chicago and Morgan State in San Francisco. They are led by forward David Fuchs, who has averaged 18.8 points over his last four games. Fuchs scored 19 points in the loss at Oregon State on Tuesday.

San Diego counters with the dynamic backcourt play of Ty-Laur Johnson. The guard is coming off a 21-point performance against Gonzaga and has scored 20 or more points in four of his last six contests. His backcourt mate, Adrian McIntyre, added 12 points and seven assists in that game, providing a secondary scoring threat.

The Toreros have struggled with consistency, particularly on the road, where they are 1-5 this season. Their defense will be tested by a balanced Dons attack that features additional scoring from guards Ryan Beasley and Tyrone Riley, who combined for 25 points in the team’s last outing.

Historically, San Francisco has dominated the series, winning 10 of the last 11 meetings. The Dons swept both matchups last season.

Friday’s contest is the conference opener for both teams. San Francisco will look to protect its home court and solidify its winning record, while San Diego seeks a statement road victory to turn around its season. The outcome may hinge on which star delivers: Fuchs in the paint for the Dons or Johnson on the perimeter for the Toreros.