Preview: Alameda Cougars at Marin Mariners

KENTFIELD, Calif. (Interstat) — The Marin Mariners will look to avenge a recent loss and solidify their playoff positioning when they host the Alameda Cougars in a California Community College men’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Marin (16-9 overall) enters the contest with a clear edge in the standings and momentum, having won three of its last four games, including a decisive 79-56 road victory over Solano on Feb. 13. The Mariners are led by dynamic guard K’Hamani Olivacce, who is coming off a 19-point, 9-assist performance in that win and has averaged 15.5 points and 9.0 assists over his last two outings.

The visiting Cougars (11-13) are mired in a five-game losing streak since their last victory, which came against these same Mariners on Jan. 21. In that 87-72 home win, Alameda forward Lucas Boze erupted for 28 points. Boze remains the key player for Alameda, averaging a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds in his last game, a 79-66 loss at Contra Costa on Feb. 13.

This rematch presents a stark contrast in trajectories. Marin has found consistency behind Olivacce’s playmaking and a balanced attack that saw Te’Shawn Gamble (16 points) and Jerone Williams (9 points, 10 rebounds) contribute significantly in the Solano win. Alameda, meanwhile, has struggled to close out games, with three of its five consecutive losses coming by single digits, including a one-point heartbreaker at Solano on Feb. 4.

For the Cougars to snap their skid, they will need another standout performance from Boze and better support from secondary scorers like Darius Mason and Oluwafeoiami Onabote, who combined for 30 points in the last meeting with Marin. The Mariners will aim to control the tempo with Olivacce, improve their defensive effort from the January loss, and leverage their home court advantage.

Tipoff is set for Thursday night at College of Marin. The Mariners won the prior meeting this season in Kentfield.