(Interstat) — The Pensacola State Pirates look to continue their strong start when they host the struggling Coastal Alabama Sun Chiefs in a men’s junior college basketball game on Thursday.

Pensacola State (6-2) enters the contest having won four of its last five, including a 74-66 overtime victory against Wallace State on Nov. 26. Deven Bates led the Pirates in that win with 21 points and nine rebounds.

Coastal Alabama (0-7) is still searching for its first win after a 109-102 loss to Mississippi Gulf Coast on Nov. 21, a game in which Josh Williams scored 34 points.

The Pirates defeated the Sun Chiefs 63-48 in Bay Minette, Alabama, on Nov. 11 in the teams’ only previous meeting this season.

Pensacola State has been strong at home, going 4-1 so far this season. Coastal Alabama has lost all seven of its games by an average margin of 18.7 points, though its last two defeats have been by a combined 10 points, suggesting a more competitive recent trend.

Following this game, Pensacola State will host Florida Southwestern State on Saturday. Coastal Alabama’s next game is at Delgado on Dec. 18.

Tip-off is set for Thursday night at the Lou Ross Center in Pensacola, Florida.