NAPA, Calif. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking consistency and a winning record will meet Friday when the Napa Valley Storm hosts the Los Medanos Mustangs in a California Community College men’s basketball matchup.

Both teams enter the contest with identical 4-9 overall records. The game will be the first for each squad in the new year and could serve as a pivot point for their seasons.

Los Medanos arrives following a taxing 98-92 overtime road loss at Contra Costa on Tuesday. The Mustangs have shown offensive firepower but struggled to close games, with four of their nine losses coming by five points or fewer. Their most recent victory was a 96-94 road win at Ohlone on Dec. 19. Guarding the ball has been a recurring issue, as opponents have repeatedly scored in the high 80s and 90s against them.

Napa Valley, meanwhile, has been off since a 93-66 loss at Marin on Dec. 18. The Storm’s season has been marked by volatility, with a 25-point home win over Hartnell on Dec. 9 followed by a 37-point home loss to West Valley just days later. Like the Mustangs, Napa Valley has endured several narrow defeats, including a two-point overtime loss to Santa Rosa and a two-point loss at San Joaquin Delta.

The matchup will feature two offenses looking to find rhythm. Los Medanos has proven it can score in bunches, eclipsing 90 points three times this season. Napa Valley’s scoring has been less predictable, but the Storm have shown flashes, such as in an 83-81 road win at Ohlone.

Friday’s game will be the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams this winter. They are scheduled to meet again at Los Medanos on Jan. 30. With both teams languishing below .500, securing an early head-to-head victory could prove crucial for momentum heading into the heart of the conference schedule.

Tipoff is set for Friday evening at Napa Valley College.