MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging Yuba College men’s basketball team will look to maintain its hold on the conference when it hosts a Merritt College squad seeking redemption Friday night.

The California Community College Athletic Association matchup pits the Yuba 49ers (14-5), who have won five straight games, against the Merritt Thunderbirds (9-10). Tipoff is set for Jan. 23, 2026.

Yuba has been dominant in recent weeks, winning its last five contests by an average margin of 24.2 points. That streak includes a 90-62 rout of Napa Valley and an 80-54 road victory at Marin last Friday. The 49ers’ defense has been particularly stifling, holding opponents to an average of just 58.6 points during the run.

Merritt arrives with momentum of its own, having snapped a three-game skid with an 83-77 road win at Mendocino last Friday. The Thunderbirds’ offense, which scored 88 points in a win over Los Medanos on Jan. 10, will be tested by Yuba’s defensive pressure.

The teams met earlier this season on Dec. 16 in Oakland, where Yuba delivered a commanding 70-52 victory over Merritt. The 49ers’ defense forced Merritt into a season-low scoring output in that contest, a performance the Thunderbirds are eager to amend.

Yuba’s balanced attack has been key to its success, consistently putting multiple players in double figures. Merritt will rely on its recent offensive resurgence, having averaged 81.5 points in its last two outings, to challenge Yuba on its home floor.

A win for Yuba would solidify its position atop the conference standings, while Merritt aims to level its season record and prove it can compete with the league’s best. The outcome may hinge on whether Merritt’s offense can solve a Yuba defense that has been among the state’s toughest during its winning streak.

Following this game, Yuba will travel to face Mendocino on Jan. 28, while Merritt will prepare to host Alameda on the same date.