Preview: Cypress Chargers at Santa Ana Dons

SANTA ANA, Calif. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in trajectories will be on display Wednesday when the surging Santa Ana Dons host the struggling Cypress Chargers in a California Community College men’s basketball matchup.

The Dons (17-2) enter as one of the state’s top teams, having won 15 of their last 16 games. Their only two losses this season came by a combined 14 points. The Chargers (9-10), meanwhile, have lost six of their last seven contests and are looking to stabilize their season.

Santa Ana’s success is fueled by balance and playmaking, led by guard Christien Jimenez. In his last seven games, Jimenez has averaged 9.4 assists, including a 10-assist, 8-rebound performance in a 75-63 win over Irvine Valley last Friday. He orchestrates an offense that features multiple scoring threats, like Aaron De Santiago, who dropped 18 points in that same victory.

Cypress will rely on forward Jack Rivera to provide a spark. Rivera is coming off a 13-point, 7-rebound effort in a 73-56 loss to Riverside last Friday. He has shown scoring prowess this season, including a 26-point outing against Allan Hancock in late December, but the Chargers have struggled offensively during their skid, failing to reach 70 points in any of their last six games.

The teams’ recent results highlight the challenge facing Cypress. The Chargers are 1-5 in January, with their lone win a 68-50 victory over Orange Coast on Jan. 14. Santa Ana is 5-1 over the same stretch, with its sole blemish a narrow 60-57 road loss to Fullerton.

This game marks the first of two scheduled meetings between the Orange Empire Conference rivals this season. They are slated to meet again at Cypress on Feb. 20.

Tip-off is set for Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Santa Ana College. The Dons will look to protect their home court and continue their dominant run, while the Chargers aim to pull a major upset and turn their season around.