EASTON, Mass. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to reverse difficult starts to the season will meet Saturday when the Chicago State Cougars visit the Stonehill Skyhawks in a non-conference men’s basketball game organized by the Northeast Conference.

The matchup at Merkert Gymnasium features Chicago State (2-14) against Stonehill (3-12). Both squads enter on losing streaks, with the Cougars dropping their last five games and the Skyhawks having lost three of their last four.

Chicago State is coming off a 63-70 loss at Fairleigh Dickinson on Thursday. Stephen Byard led the Cougars with 15 points and eight rebounds in that contest. The forward has been a consistent performer, averaging 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds over his last six games, including a 10-point, six-rebound effort in a Jan. 4 loss to Long Island.

Stonehill fell 69-76 at Central Connecticut on Thursday. Guard Hermann Koffi paced the Skyhawks with 17 points, continuing a stretch of steady scoring. Koffi has reached double figures in five consecutive games, averaging 11.6 points per contest during that span. His backcourt mate, Davante Hackett, erupted for 19 points in the loss to Central Connecticut.

The Cougars’ only victory since early December was an 84-75 road win at Loyola Chicago on Dec. 14. Stonehill’s most recent win was a 69-60 victory at Wagner on Jan. 4.

This game represents a rare opportunity for either team to build momentum. Both have struggled against a mix of high-major opponents and regional foes, with Chicago State facing a rigorous early road schedule that included games at Indiana, Iowa and Illinois State.

The teams are scheduled to meet again in Chicago on Feb. 12.

Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon at Merkert Gymnasium.