DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — A pair of Triangle-area rivals seeking momentum will meet Saturday when North Carolina A&T visits North Carolina Central at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium. The Aggies (3-3) and Eagles (3-7) enter the nonconference matchup looking to steady themselves after recent road losses. N.C. A&T fell 74-57 at Charlotte on Tuesday, while N.C. Central dropped a close 67-62 decision at James Madison on Wednesday. N.C. Central’s record is marred by a challenging early schedule featuring road losses to power-conference opponents North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia and Dayton. The Eagles have shown offensive firepower at home, however, including a 109-61 rout of CarolinaU on Nov. 29. The Aggies have been inconsistent, following a 79-73 road win at Morgan State on Nov. 18 with double-digit losses at Davidson and Charlotte. Guard Trent Middleton has been a bright spot, averaging 11.3 points over his last four games. He scored 14 points in 30 minutes against Charlotte. The Eagles are led by guard Dionte Johnson, who is coming off a 16-point, 7-assist performance in the narrow loss at James Madison. His playmaking will be key; he dished out 11 assists in just 17 minutes in the win over CarolinaU. N.C. A&T’s most productive players against Charlotte were Middleton and Lewis Walker, each with 14 points. For N.C. Central in its last outing, Gage Lattimore poured in a season-high 29 points against James Madison. This game represents a final local tune-up before both teams embark on difficult road trips. N.C. A&T visits Howard on Dec. 9, while N.C. Central faces a daunting task at Kentucky the same night. Saturday’s contest will be the first meeting between the programs this season. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. EST at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium on the campus of N.C. Central.