LEMOORE, Calif. (Interstat) — A Central Valley men’s junior college basketball matchup with contrasting momentum will unfold Saturday when the Lemoore Golden Eagles host the Merced Blue Devils.

The Golden Eagles (10-9 overall) enter on an upswing after a narrow 52-51 road victory over Fresno City on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils (6-13) are looking to rebound from a lopsided 61-39 defeat at the hands of Sequoias that same night.

Saturday’s game will feature two of the region’s most productive forwards in Merced’s Quincy White and Lemoore’s Mykayle McCoy. White has been a bright spot for Merced, averaging 18.7 points and 11 rebounds over his last three contests, including a 25-point, 10-rebound performance in a win over Porterville on Jan. 7.

McCoy has been a consistent force for Lemoore, posting a double-double in four of his last five games. He is coming off a 20-point, 12-rebound effort in the win over Fresno City and averaged 21.4 points and 10.4 rebounds during that five-game stretch.

The teams have followed divergent paths in January. Lemoore has won three of its last five, including conference wins over Porterville and Fresno City. Merced has struggled for consistency, with its two January wins preceded by a four-game skid.

The Golden Eagles will look to protect their home court and solidify their position above .500. The Blue Devils aim to disrupt that plan and find a spark behind White’s interior play, seeking to improve their record in California Community College Athletic Association play.

The teams are scheduled to meet again in Merced on Tuesday, Feb. 17.