PANAMA CITY, Fla. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in fortunes will be on display Wednesday when the surging Gulf Coast State Commodores host the struggling Southern Union State Bison in a men’s junior college basketball game at the New Year’s Classic.

The Commodores (11-1) enter the final day of 2025 as one of the region’s hottest teams, having won their last four games by an average of 16 points. Their most recent outing was a dominant 101-81 victory over Jones College on Dec. 13. Gulf Coast State’s lone blemish this season is a three-point home loss to Daytona State on Nov. 25.

Meanwhile, the Bison (1-10) are mired in a 10-game losing streak and are coming off a 105-90 defeat to Chipola on Tuesday. Southern Union State’s only win came against Albany Tech on Nov. 12. Their season has been defined by defensive struggles, allowing an average of 96.5 points per game during their skid.

This will be the second meeting between the teams this season. On Nov. 19 in Wadley, Alabama, Gulf Coast State secured a 97-85 road victory over the Bison. In that game, Southern Union State guards Trent Lincoln and Devontes Cobbs combined for 38 points and 13 assists, a duo the Commodores will aim to contain this time around.

The setting adds a layer of intrigue, as both teams will look to start 2026 on a high note in the neutral-site atmosphere in Panama City. For Gulf Coast State, it’s a chance to solidify its elite status before opening Panhandle Conference play next month. For Southern Union State, it represents an opportunity to shock the junior college landscape and find a spark to reverse a disastrous first half of the season.

Tip-off is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the New Year’s Classic. Following this contest, Gulf Coast State begins a tough conference slate, while Southern Union State continues its search for consistency heading into January.