The tournament, which has been hosted by MVNU for the past 12 years, is designed to help reduce hunger in Knox County while providing an opportunity for the community to enjoy exciting college basketball. Admissions to the games each day are $4.00 for adults or eight non-perishable food items and $2.00 for students or six non-perishable food items.

"It is hard to believe that this is our 13th year of running this tournament,” said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. "This is as much a community tournament as it is a university event. That is even more the case now that Kenyon has joined us. I trust this tournament will be the beginning of a long-term relationship with Kenyon basketball.”

"Like many tournaments, this will be very entertaining small college basketball,” Flemming added. "My hope is that our community, our college employees, and our players will see this as a great way to give back to the community.”

On Friday, Kenyon will host La Roche (Pa.) College in the first game at 6:00 p.m. in what will be the season opener for both teams. The Lords are coming off a 7-19 campaign last year with Bryan Yelvington (12.9 ppg and 7.4 rpg) and Allen Bediako (53 blocked shots and 6.3 rpg) returning to lead Kenyon this season. Meanwhile, the Redhawks posted a 10-16 mark during the 2005-2006 campaign and were led by Stacy Grady (12.7 ppg) and Zack Kostorick (10.0 ppg).

In the 8:00 p.m. contest, MVNU (3-1) will take on Myers (0-4). The host Cougars, who are ranked 14th in the NAIA Division II preseason poll, currently have five players averaging in double figures led by sophomore guards Ben Falkenberg (21.2 ppg) and Dan Borcherdt (14.0 ppg). Senior center Steve Mayes leads the team with 18 blocked shots and a 7.5 rebounds per game average to go along with 10.2 points per game. Senior forward Ryan Seesholtz (11.2 ppg) and junior forward Connor Gregg (10.2 ppg) round out the double figure scorers.

Meanwhile, the Mustangs of Myers have proven to be a very competitive squad in the early going despite remaining winless through four contests. In their most recent game on Tuesday, the Mustangs fell 86-82 at Urbana University as Sanchez Sparks scored 28 points and D’Veron Harris added 21 points.

On Saturday, the action will shift to the new $70-million Kenyon Athletic Center. MVNU will take on La Roche at noon, while Kenyon will host Myers at 2:00 p.m. to round out the classic-format tournament. An all-tournament team will be announced at the conclusion of Saturday’s second game.