MOUNT SAN JACINTO AT DESERT PREVIEW

PALM DESERT, Calif. (Interstat) — A struggling Desert men’s basketball team will look to snap a five-game skid when it hosts a Mount San Jacinto squad seeking to regain its early-season form in a California community college matchup Saturday.

The Roadrunners (3-9) have not won since a 102-100 victory over Grossmont on Dec. 2. They are coming off a 61-46 home loss to Barstow on Dec. 20, where they were held to a season-low in points. Lee’Tron Turner has been a bright spot, averaging 11.5 points per game. He scored 26 points in a loss to Riverside on Dec. 16 and had 15 points, five rebounds and four assists against Barstow.

The visiting Eagles (9-5) have dropped two straight after a three-game win streak, including an 89-60 road loss to Fullerton in their last outing on Dec. 20. Guard RJ Dawson, averaging 12.3 points per game, will be a key factor. He scored 14 points against Copper Mountain on Dec. 17 and has reached double figures in scoring in four of his last five contests.

Mount San Jacinto’s record includes several high-scoring performances, notably a 108-98 win over Chaffey on Dec. 13. Desert’s defense, allowing an average of 74.6 points per game, will be tested by an Eagles offense that has surpassed 90 points six times this season.

This game opens the conference schedule for both teams. They will meet again in San Jacinto on Feb. 4.

Desert’s upcoming schedule includes a road game at San Bernardino Valley on Jan. 7. Mount San Jacinto hosts Barstow on Jan. 7.

Saturday’s tipoff is set for 3 p.m. PST at the Desert Gymnasium.