MERIDIAN, Miss. (Interstat) — A surging Mississippi Gulf Coast squad will look to extend its winning streak against a Meridian team still searching for its first victory when the Bulldogs visit the Eagles in a men’s junior college basketball game Monday.

The Bulldogs (9-2) enter on a three-game win streak, most recently an 85-65 home victory over Baton Rouge on Thursday. Guard Duran Parish led the way in that contest, scoring 22 points with six rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes. Parish has been a consistent offensive catalyst for Gulf Coast.

Meridian (0-5) has struggled to open the season, with its most recent game a 116-96 road loss to Northwest Mississippi on Dec. 15. In that defeat, Fred Motley scored 22 points and Issace Grady recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The teams met earlier this season on Nov. 10, with Gulf Coast securing an 84-59 home win. The Bulldogs’ balanced attack and defensive pressure overwhelmed the Eagles in that matchup.

Gulf Coast’s season has been marked by several close victories, including an 86-81 overtime win at Delgado and a 116-114 double-overtime triumph at Jones. Their two losses came on the road at Hinds and Pensacola State.

Meridian’s winless start includes single-digit losses to Delgado (70-65) and Coahoma (84-64). The Eagles will need a significant defensive improvement to slow down a Bulldogs offense averaging over 85 points per game during its current streak.

Monday’s contest is the first of a two-game road swing for Gulf Coast, which hosts Jones on Thursday. Meridian begins a three-game homestand, with Mississippi Delta visiting next Tuesday.

Tip-off is set for Monday night at Meridian’s gymnasium.