MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — Houston Christian will visit Western Illinois for a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game on Saturday at Western Hall in Macomb. The Huskies enter with a 1-0 record, while the Leathernecks are 0-1. Houston Christian will look to build on a productive opener, and Western Illinois will seek its first win of the season in a home matchup.

Houston Christian opened with a 108-45 home win over Louisiana Christian. Max Alexander, a guard, is a player to watch for the Huskies after finishing with 19 points and five assists in that game. Alexander played 21 minutes in the win. Mambourou Mara added 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Jonas Nichols scored 16 points with three rebounds and two assists. Mara also had one assist and two blocks, and Nichols added two assists in 14 minutes. The Huskies’ balanced effort produced a lopsided result and gave them momentum going into the road matchup.

Western Illinois dropped its most recent game 80-58 at Valparaiso. Jack Riley, a forward, is a player to watch for the Leathernecks after posting 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block. Riley played 35 minutes in the loss. Daivion Traylor led Western Illinois with 14 points and six rebounds, while Makai Kvamme scored 13 points. Traylor also had one assist and one block, and Kvamme added one assist in 26 minutes. The Leathernecks will look to generate more production around Riley and Traylor as they return home.

The matchup features contrasting early-season results, with Houston Christian coming off a dominant win and Western Illinois working through a difficult road opener. Houston Christian’s backcourt and inside presence will test the Leathernecks, while Western Illinois will rely on Riley and Traylor to establish production. Western Hall will host the meeting between the Huskies and Leathernecks. The teams are scheduled to meet again later in the season at Houston Christian.

Houston Christian’s upcoming schedule includes a road game at South Dakota, home games against Biblical Stud. (TX), Georgia Southern, Nicholls State and New Orleans, and road games at Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana. Western Illinois’ upcoming schedule includes games against Simpson, Cal State Bakersfield, Albany, Mercyhurst, St. Ambrose, Minnesota, Canisius, Coastal Carolina and Indiana.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Houston Christian 65, Western Illinois 60. Interstat’s ELO system gives Houston Christian a 60.1 percent probability to win. Houston Christian has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -9.5, and the over/under is 136.5.