SOUTH LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Interstat) — A pivotal California community college men’s basketball matchup is set for Friday when the Los Angeles Southwest Cougars host the Los Angeles Harbor Seahawks.

The Cougars (11-7) enter with a stronger overall record, but the visiting Seahawks (9-8) have won two straight, including a 77-65 road victory at Pasadena City on Jan. 14. Both teams are coming off games against Pasadena, with Southwest falling 92-89 last Friday.

The game features two of the region’s top performers. Harbor is led by guard Nate Guevara, who is coming off an efficient 18-point, 5-rebound, 6-assist effort in the win at Pasadena. Over his last three games, Guevara has averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 assists.

Southwest counters with forward Hosea Steele, Jr., who has been on a scoring tear. He poured in 21 points in each of his last two outings, including a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double in a win over Los Angeles City on Jan. 14. In his last four games, Steele has averaged 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds.

The Seahawks’ recent success has been bolstered by Kristian Jemerson, who scored 20 points against Pasadena, and Max Choi, who added 17 points and eight rebounds. Southwest will look for additional production from Tre’ Walker and Omar Gardner, who combined for 27 points in the narrow loss to Pasadena.

This contest marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the schools, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 11 at Los Angeles Harbor. Friday’s result will impact the early standings in a competitive conference race.

Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST at Los Angeles Southwest College.