Preview: Los Angeles Southwest at Compton

COMPTON, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging Los Angeles Southwest men’s basketball team looks to continue its push toward a 20-win season when it visits rival Compton College in a California Community College Athletic Association matchup Friday night.

The Cougars (18-8) have won four of their last five games, including a decisive 95-81 victory over El Camino on Feb. 13. They also handily defeated the Tartars (11-15) 90-78 in their first meeting this season on Feb. 4.

Los Angeles Southwest is powered by a balanced attack. In the recent win over El Camino, Caron Smith scored 25 points and Hosea Steele, Jr. added eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Guard Demaree Collins has been a key contributor, averaging 11.4 points over his last seven games. He scored 17 points in 11 minutes against El Camino and had 10 points in the previous win over Compton.

The host Tartars, however, enter with momentum after an 86-76 road win at Long Beach on Feb. 13, snapping a two-game skid. Forward Keishawn Ross Jr. has been a consistent force for Compton, posting a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to Cerritos on Feb. 11 and averaging 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds over his last four contests.

Compton will need to find an answer defensively after allowing 90 points to the Cougars earlier this month. Los Angeles Southwest has averaged 83.4 points during its 4-1 stretch.

The Tartars have shown resilience at home recently, with narrow victories over Los Angeles Harbor and Long Beach in late January. They will aim to leverage that home-court advantage to split the season series and improve their standing.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PST at the Compton College Gymnasium.