Highlanders Host Gila Monsters in Non-Conference Men’s Junior College Clash

WACO, Texas (Interstat) — The McLennan Highlanders, riding a four-game winning streak, will host the Eastern Arizona Gila Monsters in a non-conference men’s junior college basketball game on Monday, January 5, 2026.

McLennan (4-1) enters with momentum, having not played since a dominant 91-58 victory over Coastal Bend on Dec. 1. In that game, the Highlanders’ offense was fueled by efficient performances, including 22 points from Katayvon Jefferies in just 13 minutes off the bench. Their only loss came in a narrow 79-78 road contest against Paris in late November.

Eastern Arizona (7-6) looks to rebound after a 73-66 road loss at Weatherford this past Friday. The Gila Monsters’ season has been marked by volatility, featuring both a 111-point offensive outburst and several defeats where scoring stalled. They are 2-2 in their last four games, with the wins coming by an average of 27 points and the losses by an average of 12.5.

The matchup pits McLennan’s recent defensive prowess — holding its last two opponents to an average of 47.5 points — against an Eastern Arizona squad capable of high-octane offense but prone to inconsistency. The Gila Monsters’ Joseph Mayberry III, who posted 11 rebounds and 3 assists in the recent loss, will be a key factor in controlling the tempo.

This game serves as a final non-conference test for both teams before resuming their respective regional schedules. McLennan will open its conference slate at Weatherford on Jan. 10, while Eastern Arizona begins Arizona Community College Athletic Conference play at home against Yavapai on Jan. 10.

Tip-off is set for Monday afternoon at McLennan’s home court.