OAKLAND, Calif. (Interstat) — The Merritt College women’s basketball team looks to solidify its winning season when it hosts a struggling Mendocino College squad in a California Community College matchup Tuesday night.

The Thunderbirds (14-10) enter the contest favored heavily against the Eagles (0-9), a team they defeated 93-27 just last month on Jan. 16. Interstat’s ELO system projects Merritt with a 97.2% probability to win.

Merritt seeks to rebound from a narrow 66-62 road loss to Los Medanos on Feb. 11. That result snapped a positive stretch for the Thunderbirds, who had won three of their previous four games, including a 58-56 victory over Marin on Feb. 6.

A player to watch for the Thunderbirds is Tai’Ana Houff. The forward delivered a dominant performance in a recent outing against Napa Valley on Feb. 4, recording 14 rebounds and 4 points in 30 minutes of action. Her presence in the paint will be a key factor against Mendocino.

The Eagles are mired in a difficult season, seeking their first win. They are coming off an 87-29 home loss to Los Medanos on Feb. 13 and have lost each game this season by an average margin of 46.2 points. In the previous meeting with Merritt, Mendocino was held to 27 points, a season-low output it has matched twice.

Following Tuesday’s game, Merritt’s schedule continues quickly with a road game at Solano on Thursday, Feb. 19. Mendocino will look to find a spark against the Thunderbirds before the season progresses further.

Tip-off is set for Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Merritt College.