Basketball Game Preview: United Christian Academy Eagles vs. La Sierra Academy Knights

United Christian Academy and La Sierra Academy are an even 5-5 against one another since January of 2018, but not for long. The United Christian Academy Eagles will head out to take on the La Sierra Academy Knights at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. United Christian Academy is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 52.3 points per game this season.

On Saturday, United Christian Academy escaped with a win against Rowland by the margin of a single free throw, 54-53. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Eagles.

United Christian Academy can attribute much of their success to Gigi Marquez, who went 8 of 20 on her way to 26 points and six rebounds, and Natalie Estrada, who almost dropped a triple-double on 15 points, 16 rebounds, and nine steals. With that strong performance, Marquez is now averaging an impressive 15.4 points per game. The team also got some help courtesy of Anneka Brouwer, who posted two points and four steals.

United Christian Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 11 offensive boards in four consecutive matches.

Meanwhile, La Sierra Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their 14th straight loss dating back to last season. They took a blow against California School for the Deaf-Riverside, falling 62-20. The Knights were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 35-11.

La Sierra Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 0-3. As for United Christian Academy, their win bumped their record up to 13-5.

Everything came up roses for United Christian Academy against La Sierra Academy in their previous meeting back in January of 2024, as the squad secured a 57-8 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for United Christian Academy since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.