ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita Baptist University men's basketball team officially opens the 2021-22 season this weekend in Minnesota, taking part in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference/Great American Conference Crossover Challenge.

Ouachita takes on St. Cloud State on Friday, November 12 at 7 p.m., and then faces Minot State on Saturday at 3 p.m. Both games will be played at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

The Tigers have one exhibition game under their belt this year, a 76-64 win over Philander Smith at home last Wednesday. This will be the season-opener for St. Cloud State. Minot State is 1-1 in exhibition this season with a 98-93 win over Valley City State University and an 85-54 loss to Division I North Dakota State. MSU opens the crossover challenge on Friday against fellow GAC member Harding.

Ouachita is coming off a 5-12 record in last year's COVID-19 shortened season. The Tigers have been picked to finish eighth in the GAC this season. Kendarious Smith is Ouachita's top returner, coming back for his fifth season. Smith averaged 16.1 points per game last year. Other key returners include Ma'Darius Hobson (11.2 ppg) and Deaveon Bankston (8.2 ppg, 5.3 rbg, 11 blocked shots).

St. Cloud State went 8-9 last year and returns its leading scorer and rebounder from last season in Anthony Roberts, who averaged 20.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Minot State was 9-7 last year and has its top four scorers coming back.

The games will be streamed live on the NSIC network, and live statistics will be available. Links to live coverage can be found at www.OBUTigers.com/coverage