MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Through the generosity of Robert Morris alum Russ Olsen, the Colonials men's basketball team will host the Urban-Bennett Memorial Classic, a holiday Multi-Team Event (MTE) Basketball Tournament beginning November 24 at the UPMC Events Center. In addition to RMU, Fairleigh Dickinson and Jacksonville will participate, each playing two games.
ABOUT THE URBAN-BENNETT MEMORIAL CLASSIC
As part of the University's fifth annual Day of Giving in September 2022, Olsen made a six figure, multi-year pledge to fund the event for a minimum of three years. The tournament is being established in honor of Richard Bennett and Philip Urban, two childhood friends of Olsen.
RMU LATELY
The Colonials (1-3) are coming off a 78-68 loss at Wisconsin November 17.
Justice Williams leads RMU with 16.0 points per game.
Markeese Hastings is RMU's leading rebounder with 9.8 per game. The Colonials won their only home game this season, 66-56 over Point Park.
JACKSONVILLE LATELY
The Dolphins (2-2) return to Pittsburgh one week after a 107-56 loss to Pitt. Jacksonville was picked to finish ninth in the ASUN coaches poll and 10
th in the media poll. JU has 10 new players on this season's roster. This weekend marks the first time the team have met.
FDU LATELY
The Knights (5-1) have won three straight games with their only setback coming at Seton Hall. FDU is coming off a year where they represented the Northeast Conference in the NCAA Tournament and became only the second No. 16 seed ever to upset a No. 1 seed by defeating Purdue.
RMU AND FDU HISTORY
The Colonials and Knights have a rich history dating back to 1980. The schools have met 82 times with RMU winning 46 of those matchups. FDU is the Colonials' second most played opponent in program history (Saint Francis U, 91 games). RMU rattled off a 17-game winning streak against the Knights from January 10, 2008 until February 13, 2016.
LAST TIME AGAINST FDU
RMU let a 10-point halftime slip away as FDU used a 51-point 2
nd half to steal a 75-70 victory over the Colonials on Feb. 23, 2020.
COMMON OPPONENTS
RMU and Jacksonville have two common opponents this season, FDU and Xavier. RMU and FDU also have a pair of common opponents in Jacksonville and Saint Francis U.
UP NEXT
The Colonials begin Horizon League play on November 29 when they visit Northern Kentucky. RMU returns to the UPMC Events Center December 2 against Youngstown State.
RMU BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for RMU basketball for the 2023-24 season can be purchased by calling the RMU Ticket Office at (412) 397-4949. In addition to a full slate of Horizon League games, the Colonials will also host an MTE Tournament at the UPMC Events Center as part of their 2023-24 non-conference home schedule.
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