WACO, Texas (Interstat) — The McLennan Highlanders look to continue their strong start to the season when they host the Coastal Bend Cougars in a men’s junior college basketball game Monday at Highlands Gymnasium.

McLennan (3-1) enters the contest having won three of its first four games, including a 51-37 road victory over Angelina in its most recent outing on Nov. 24. Howard Gaskins Jr. led the Highlanders in that win with 11 points and four assists, while Joseph Mayberry III added 12 points.

The visiting Cougars (0-1) are seeking their first win after dropping their season opener 89-77 at Ranger on Nov. 22.

Despite the teams’ contrasting early records, a projection from Interstat’s game simulator anticipates a tightly contested matchup, forecasting a 100-100 final score.

The game is the final contest of the calendar year for Coastal Bend, which does not play again until hosting Blinn on Dec. 3. McLennan will next face Eastern Arizona on Jan. 5.