AP SPORTS PREVIEW

TYLER, Texas (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Tyler Apaches visit the Coastal Bend Cougars.

The non-conference matchup, scheduled for Jan. 3, 2026, pits a Tyler squad (2-4) fresh off a win against a Coastal Bend team (0-7) still searching for its first victory of the season.

Tyler enters having snapped a two-game skid with an 85-75 home win over Lamar State-Port Arthur on Dec. 13. The Apaches’ other win came on the road against Navarro, 79-76, on Dec. 3. Their losses include narrow defeats to Paris (73-70) and in overtime to Southwestern Christian (80-79).

Coastal Bend, meanwhile, is coming off a near-upset, falling 94-90 in overtime at Temple on New Year’s Eve. It was the Cougars’ closest margin of defeat this season. Their other results include losses to Paris (73-60) and a tight 79-76 defeat to Blinn on Dec. 3.

Despite the disparity in records, a statistical projection from Interstat forecasts a high-scoring deadlock, simulating a final score of 100-100.

The game offers Tyler a chance to build a winning streak and climb above .500 for the first time this season. For Coastal Bend, it represents a prime opportunity to break into the win column at home against a team with only two victories.

Following this contest, both teams dive into conference play. Tyler begins a stretch against Region XIV opponents starting with Bossier Parish at home on Jan. 7. Coastal Bend opens its conference slate on the road at Trinity Valley, also on Jan. 7.

Tip-off is set for Saturday at the Cougar Den in Beeville, Texas.