CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Western Carolina men's basketball team makes its first-ever visit to the campus of Longwood University this weekend as the Catamounts participate in the Jerome Kersey Classic inside Willett Hall.
 
The Catamounts face reigning America East regular season champion UMBC on Friday at 7:30 p.m. followed by a matchup against American on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Catamounts close out the weekend against tournament host Longwood on Sunday at 4 p.m. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with Friday and Sunday's games airing on the Catamount Sports Network with live streaming audio.
 
Tournament action includes Longwood facing both American (Friday, 5 pm) and UMBC (Saturday, 5 pm).
 
Friday's game against UMBC is just the second meeting all-time – and the first contest between the Catamounts and Retrievers since a 77-69 UMBC win at the 1959 Camp Lejune tournament. WCU has never faced American or Longwood, according to available records. Further, Saturday's game against American is the first for WCU against any current member of the Patriot League.
 
UMBC is 1-1 after an 85-47 home triumph against Penn State–York on Monday night. Keondre Kennedy paced three Retrievers in double figures with 17 points and leads the team with an average of 15.0 points per game. Darnell Rogers is also averaging double figures with 12.5 points per game and Dimitrije Spasojevic is nearly averaging a double-double with 9.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. UMBC is led by first-year head coach Jim Ferry. 
 
Located in Washington, D.C., American heads into the weekend with a 2-1 record following a 79-57 loss at crosstown foe Georgetown on Tuesday. Stacy Beckton, Jr. is the reigning Patriot League Player of the Week after averaging 21.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game in wins against Marist and William & Mary in the season's opening week. Beckton, Jr. led the Eagles with 16 points and was one of four players to grab four rebounds in Tuesday's loss to the Hoyas.
 
Longwood is 2-1 after home wins last weekend against Virginia University Lynchburg and Mid-American Christian. The Lancers opened the season with a 106-73 defeat at Iowa. Isaiah Wilkins leads the Lancers and ranks 10^th in the Big South Conference with 13.7 points per game. Leslie Nkereuwem is also averaging double figures with 13.0 points per game. 
 
The Catamounts remain on the road, heading to Gardner-Webb following the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 27 for a 2 p.m. tip-off at Paul Porter Arena.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount men's basketball and WCU Athletics through our social media outlets on Facebook fb.com/catamountsports, Instagram @catamountmbb @wcu_catamounts, and Twitter @CatamountMBB @catamounts.
 
Jerome Kersey Classic Schedule
Nov. 19-21, 2021
Farmville, Va. (Willett Hall)
 
Friday, Nov. 19
5 p.m.: Longwood vs. American
7:30 p.m.: Western Carolina vs. UMBC
 
Saturday, Nov. 20
5 p.m.: Longwood vs. UMBC
7:30 p.m.: American vs. Western Carolina
 
Sunday, Nov. 21
4 p.m.: Longwood vs. Western Carolina