HOUSTON (Interstat) — Abilene Christian looks to steady itself against struggling Texas Southern when the teams meet in nonconference men’s basketball Monday night at Health & P.E. Arena. The Wildcats (7-5) enter on a two-game skid following decisive road losses at then-Arizona (96-62) and BYU (85-67). They will be heavily favored against a Tigers squad (1-8) that has faced a brutal early schedule, with its lone win coming against non-Division I Biblical Studies. Abilene Christian guard Chilaydrien Newton is the primary offensive catalyst, coming off a 23-point performance in 36 minutes at BYU. Over his last four games against Division I opponents, Newton is averaging 16.3 points. He will be matched against Texas Southern’s top scorer, Zaire Hayes, who is averaging 12.0 points over his last three games, including 17 in the loss at North Carolina State. While the Wildcats have shown inconsistency, their victories include a 77-69 win over New Mexico State. Texas Southern’s losses, however, have largely been blowouts, including a 36-point defeat at Gonzaga and 35-point losses at Minnesota and Vanderbilt. The Tigers are allowing 89.2 points per game. For Texas Southern, containing Newton and forward Bradyn Hubbard, who had 12 points against BYU, will be critical. The Tigers will rely on Hayes and guard Alex Anderson, who scored 14 points with four assists against the Wolfpack. This game represents a final tune-up before conference play begins for both. Abilene Christian opens Western Athletic Conference action Jan. 1 against Utah Tech, while Texas Southern hosts Huston-Tillotson on Dec. 30 before starting Southwestern Athletic Conference play Jan. 3. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST Monday.