VICTOR VALLEY, Calif. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Victor Valley College Rams host the Palo Verde College Pirates in a California community college men’s basketball matchup.

Both teams enter with identical 3-10 overall records, though each is coming off a narrow road victory this past Wednesday. Palo Verde edged Barstow 88-83, while Victor Valley slipped past Cerro Coso 67-66.

The game features a compelling duel between standout forwards. Palo Verde’s Dejon Townsend has been a consistent force, posting double-doubles in his last two full outings. He scored 27 points with 12 rebounds against Pasadena City on Dec. 6 and had 21 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Los Angeles Pierce on Dec. 5.

Victor Valley will counter with Derrick Hankins, who is also coming off a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to Antelope Valley on Dec. 7. Hankins has been a high-volume scorer, including a 25-point performance against Pasadena City on Dec. 5.

Despite their struggles, both teams have shown offensive capability. The Rams scored 94 points in a win at Los Angeles Pierce on Dec. 6, and the Pirates put up 88 in their latest victory. A statistical projection from Interstat anticipates a high-scoring affair, simulating a 100-100 draw.

The contest will be the first of a home-and-home series between the programs, which are scheduled to meet again in Blythe on Jan. 31.

Following Saturday’s game, both teams break for the holidays before resuming conference play in early January. Victor Valley will travel to Barstow on Jan. 3, while Palo Verde hosts Chaffey the same day.

Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon at Victor Valley College.