Preview: Victor Valley Rams at Copper Mountain Fighting Cacti

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (Interstat) — The Copper Mountain College men’s basketball team looks to avenge a January loss and solidify its winning record when it hosts Victor Valley College on Staff Appreciation Night this Wednesday.

The California Community College Athletic Association matchup pits the Fighting Cacti (15-9) against the struggling Rams (7-18). Copper Mountain enters having won three of its last four, including a 94-76 road victory at Palo Verde on Feb. 7. Victor Valley seeks to end a three-game skid, most recently falling 83-81 to Chaffey on Feb. 7.

Copper Mountain’s Amarion Wallace has been a consistent force, averaging a double-double in recent contests. He posted 24 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Palo Verde and had 18 points and 17 rebounds in a Jan. 14 overtime victory at Chaffey.

Victor Valley’s fortunes often hinge on the volatile production of Komari Lewis. The standout guard scored 30 points in a Jan. 31 loss but was held to seven points in a subsequent defeat. He exploded for 20 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Desert on Jan. 17.

The Rams won the season’s first meeting, 64-60, at home on Jan. 10. Replicating that result on the road will be a challenge against a Copper Mountain team that is 9-3 at home this season.

Wednesday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. PST at Copper Mountain College. The Fighting Cacti host Chaffey next on Saturday. Victor Valley travels to Desert on Feb. 18.