HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in trajectories will be on display Sunday when the surging High Point Panthers host the struggling North Carolina Central Eagles in a nonconference women’s basketball game at Qubein Arena. The Panthers (9-1) have been one of the early-season surprises, riding a five-game winning streak since their lone loss at Houston on Nov. 23. Their dominant defense has held opponents to an average of 52.6 points during the streak, capped by a 64-44 road win at South Carolina State last Friday. High Point is fueled by guard Aaliyah Collins, who is averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game. She scored 19 points with four assists in the win over South Carolina State and has been a consistent catalyst, including a 29-point outburst against Vermont on Nov. 19. Conversely, the Eagles (1-8) are mired in a seven-game skid, most recently suffering a 106-42 defeat at South Carolina on Dec. 7. Their sole victory came against UNC Asheville on Nov. 13. North Carolina Central has struggled offensively, failing to reach 70 points in any game this season. Guard Tierney Coleman has shown flashes for the Eagles, scoring 14 points against the Gamecocks and 15 in a narrow 68-65 loss at Wake Forest on Nov. 20. She will need a significant performance to challenge High Point’s stout defense. The Panthers have excelled at home, winning all five contests at Qubein Arena by an average margin of 32.4 points. This game serves as a final tune-up before High Point begins Big South Conference play in January. For North Carolina Central, it represents another tough road test before returning to Durham to face Queens (N.C.) on Dec. 17. The Eagles begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play on Jan. 3 against Norfolk State. Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.