DENTON, Texas (Interstat) — A surging North Texas team will look to extend its winning streak and capitalize on a significant home-court advantage when it hosts struggling East Carolina in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday afternoon at North Texas Coliseum.

The Mean Green (12-7) have won three of their last four, including a dominant 81-62 victory over Texas-San Antonio on Wednesday. They are heavily favored against an East Carolina squad mired in a seven-game losing streak. The Pirates (5-14) are coming off a 77-60 loss at Wichita State.

North Texas is projected with a 93.5% probability to win by Interstat’s ELO system and has been installed as a 9-point pregame favorite. The over/under is set at 134 points.

The matchup features a stark contrast in recent momentum. North Texas guard Je’Shawn Stevenson enters in peak form, averaging 19.3 points over his last six games. He erupted for 27 points in 31 minutes in the win over UTSA. For East Carolina, stopping Stevenson will be a primary concern for a defense allowing 77.1 points per game during its skid.

The Pirates will rely on guard Demitri Gardner, who led the team with 14 points at Wichita State. Gardner has shown scoring flashes, including a 12-point effort against Charlotte on Jan. 18, but consistency has been an issue for the entire ECU lineup.

North Texas has been strong at home this season, while East Carolina is 1-7 in true road games. The Mean Green’s balanced attack, which saw David Terrell add 15 points and six assists Wednesday, will test an ECU team that has lost its conference games by an average of 9.3 points.

Following this game, North Texas travels to Tulsa on Jan. 28. East Carolina returns home to host Rice on Jan. 28.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST Friday at North Texas Coliseum.