WALNUT, Calif. (Interstat) — A compelling non-conference men’s junior college basketball matchup is set for Friday when the Irvine Valley Lasers visit the Mount San Antonio Mounties.

The Lasers (8-3) enter with a slightly better overall record, but the Mounties (6-2) have been dominant at home and boast one of the state’s most dynamic players. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Irvine Valley is coming off a gritty 56-51 home win over San Diego Miramar on Dec. 13, where Ahmad Alhammouri provided a key spark off the bench with 7 points and 5 rebounds in 13 minutes. Alhammouri, a player to watch, has shown explosive scoring potential, dropping 19 points in just one minute of action in a loss at Sierra on Dec. 4. The Lasers have won three of their last four.

Mount San Antonio counters with its own standout in Dayvon Gates. The guard is coming off a 24-point, 4-assist performance in a 74-58 win over Los Angeles Harbor on Dec. 12. Gates has been a consistent force, averaging over 21 points per game in his last three outings, including a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double in a narrow loss to Santiago Canyon.

The Mounties have been formidable on their home court, winning by an average margin of 29 points in their three victories in Walnut this season. Their only home contest was an 88-78 loss to Citrus on Oct. 31.

Irvine Valley will look to break that home-court advantage by leveraging its depth and the versatile play of Alhammouri. Containing Gates will be the primary defensive challenge for the Lasers.

This contest serves as a final tune-up for both teams before holiday breaks and the start of conference play in January.