Preview: Los Angeles City Cubs at Compton Tartars

COMPTON, Calif. (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking to reverse recent slides will meet Friday when the Compton Tartars host the Los Angeles City Cubs in a California Community College Athletic Association matchup.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. PST on Jan. 2, 2026.

Los Angeles City (2-11) enters on a four-game losing streak, most recently falling 84-78 to Grossmont on Tuesday. The Cubs have struggled to find consistent offense, averaging 66.2 points per game during their current skid. Their fortunes often hinge on forward Jaelin Brown, who is in the midst of a dominant rebounding stretch. Brown is averaging a double-double over his last five games, including a 19-rebound, 11-point performance in 40 minutes against Grossmont.

Compton (5-9) has also lost its last two contests, including an 83-65 defeat to Ventura on Dec. 17. The Tartars have shown volatility, with a 96-point offensive outburst against Orange Coast on Dec. 4 contrasted by a 42-point loss to Fullerton in November. In their last outing, Elijah Evans (15 points) and Nathan Ibarra (16 points) provided scoring punch.

The matchup presents a critical opportunity for both programs to gain traction early in the new year. For Los Angeles City, containing Compton’s perimeter threats while continuing to feed Brown inside will be key. The Tartars will look to exploit their home court and use their athleticism to pressure a Cubs team averaging over 15 turnovers per game.

This contest opens the conference schedule for both teams. Following this game, Los Angeles City travels to Long Beach on Jan. 7, while Compton hosts Mount San Antonio the same night.