Preview: Cosumnes River Hawks at Sacramento City Panthers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — A lopsided rivalry will be renewed Friday night when the surging Cosumnes River Hawks visit the struggling Sacramento City Panthers in a California Community College men’s basketball matchup.

The Hawks (14-4) enter as heavy favorites, having dominated the Panthers (6-13) 92-54 just one month ago, on Dec. 23. That result is emblematic of the teams’ divergent seasons. Cosumnes River sits among the region’s top teams, while Sacramento City seeks consistency.

Cosumnes River is looking to bounce back from a narrow 76-75 road loss to Sierra on Tuesday, which snapped a strong run of form. Prior to that, the Hawks had won four straight, including a 77-62 victory over Diablo Valley on Jan. 13. A key figure in that win was sophomore forward Aalijah Gillyard, who posted an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double. Gillyard has been a force on the glass, grabbing 10 rebounds in a win over San Joaquin Delta on Jan. 6.

The Panthers, meanwhile, are mired in a difficult stretch, having lost five of their last six games. Their most recent outing was a heartbreaking 93-90 loss to Sierra on Jan. 16. Defense has been a persistent issue; Sacramento City has allowed 90 or more points in three of its last five contests.

For the Panthers to be competitive, they must find an answer for Cosumnes River’s interior presence, led by Gillyard, and improve their defensive communication. The Hawks have shown offensive firepower, scoring 90-plus points in four games this season.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. PST on Friday, Jan. 23, at Sacramento City College. It is the second of two scheduled regular-season meetings between the programs.

Following this contest, Cosumnes River will travel to face Modesto on Jan. 27. Sacramento City will remain at home to host Folsom Lake on the same date.