PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Robert Morris University men's basketball will take on crosstown rival Duquesne University at PPG Paints Arena Wednesday, Dec. 9, as part of the inaugural Hope Gas Backyard Basketball Classic.
The Colonials and Dukes will meet in the opening game of a special college basketball doubleheader featuring four of the region's premier programs. The evening will conclude with Pitt facing West Virginia in another chapter of the Backyard Brawl rivalry.
The matchup provides Robert Morris with an opportunity to compete at one of Pittsburgh's premier sports and entertainment venues while renewing a longstanding rivalry between two local programs with deep ties to the region.
"Opportunities like the Hope Gas Backyard Basketball Classic are exactly what Robert Morris basketball should be part of," said Robert Morris Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Ronald Moses. "Sharing a stage at PPG Paints Arena with Duquesne, Pitt and West Virginia introduces the Colonials to thousands of new fans in the building and many more watching across the region. This is a chance to galvanize our alumni, our students and all of Colonial Nation around one big night in the city we call home. We're grateful to Hope Gas and PPG Paints Arena for including RMU, and we can't wait to show Pittsburgh what Robert Morris basketball is all about."
TWO PITTSBURGH PROGRAMS. ONE BIG STAGE.
Robert Morris and Duquesne will meet at PPG Paints Arena as part of a night celebrating college basketball throughout the Pittsburgh region.
The Colonials-Dukes matchup will open the evening, giving fans the opportunity to watch two Pittsburgh-area programs battle on a major stage before Pitt and West Virginia close out the night.
TICKET INFORMATION
Presale tickets will be available beginning Thursday, Sept. 17 at 10:00 a.m. and will remain available through Monday, Sept. 21 at 10:00 p.m.
General admission ticket sales will begin Friday, Sept. 25 at 10:00 a.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday's matchup marks another chapter in the longstanding series between Robert Morris and Duquesne.
The Colonials and Dukes have met 28 times dating back to the first meeting on Dec. 11, 1980, with Duquesne holding a 16-12 advantage in the all-time series. Robert Morris enters the contest having won each of the last two meetings, including a 66-59 victory at Duquesne on Nov. 19, 2017.
The Colonials have won seven of the last 10 meetings between the programs, a stretch that began with a 69-63 victory on Nov. 19, 2010. RMU also captured five consecutive contests against the Dukes from Nov. 19, 2010, through Dec. 13, 2014.
The series has featured several memorable finishes, including RMU's 73-72 victory on Dec. 2, 2006, the closest win in the history of the series. The Colonials also recorded a 91-69 victory on Dec. 15, 2012, marking the largest margin of victory by either team in the series.
Overall, Robert Morris owns a 6-5 record against Duquesne at home and is 5-11 in road meetings. The Colonials have scored 1,898 points across the 28 meetings, averaging 67.79 points per game.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Duquesne leads, 16-12
LAST MEETING: RMU 66, Duquesne 59 — Nov. 19, 2017
LAST 10: RMU leads, 7-3
RMU LONGEST WIN STREAK: 5 games
LARGEST RMU WIN: 91-69 — Dec. 15, 2012
