CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — The Virginia Cavaliers, riding a five-game winning streak and boasting one of the nation’s top records, will host the American University Eagles on Monday night at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers (9-1) have been dominant since their lone loss to Butler on Nov. 23, winning their last five contests by an average of 21.2 points. That stretch includes an impressive 88-69 road victory at Texas. Virginia’s efficient offense, averaging 84.6 points per game during the streak, will be a formidable challenge for any opponent. American (7-5) enters off a tough 105-83 road loss at VCU on Dec. 18. The Eagles have shown resilience this season, with notable wins over Penn and Drexel, but have struggled against high-major competition, falling to George Washington, Rutgers and VCU by significant margins. A key matchup will feature the backcourts. Virginia’s Chance Mallory has been a consistent catalyst, scoring in double figures in five straight games and dishing out 22 assists over that span. His playmaking and scoring punch will be central to the Cavaliers’ attack. For American, guard Geoff Sprouse is the primary offensive engine. He is coming off a 16-point, 5-assist performance against VCU and has scored 16 points in two of his last four outings. Containing Sprouse will be a priority for Virginia’s trademark defense. The Eagles will need a near-perfect performance to compete. They rank 342nd nationally in scoring defense, allowing 78.8 points per game, while Virginia boasts one of the country’s most efficient offenses. The Cavaliers have surpassed 84 points in each game of their winning streak. This contest concludes the non-conference schedule for both teams. Virginia will open Atlantic Coast Conference play at Virginia Tech on Dec. 31, while American begins Patriot League action at home against Loyola Maryland on the same date. Monday’s game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. EST tipoff.