Crosstown Classic returns with free tickets for XU students

NEW ORLEANS — The oldest college basketball rivalry in New Orleans, Xavier vs. Dillard, will heat up again Saturday when the Crosstown Classic returns for what should be the final time at The Barn.

The women's game will start at 5 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7. Tailgating in front of The Barn will start at 3 p.m.

The Barn, Xavier's gymnasium since 1937, will be replaced later this year by a 4,500-seat facility, the Convocation Academic Center, which is under construction.

Xavier students with a valid XU identification card will be admitted free to the doubleheader. A limited number of advance student admission tickets will be available through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University Center information desk on the first floor and from 2 to 4 p.m. in the XU Office of Student Services, room 305b on the UC's third floor.

Additional student tickets will be available at the box office at The Barn beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday.

A limited number of $10 general admission tickets will be available in the athletics administration office of The Barn from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Thursday. Tickets also will be sold at the doubleheader.

"Because seating at The Barn is limited, we ask our students to arrive early to the games on Saturday, regardless of when they pick up their tickets," said Dennis Cousin, XU's director of athletics.

Fans unable to attend can watch the doubleheader on the internet via PSBLive.com. The free webcasts can be accessed at www.xula.edu/athletics/stream.

The games will be the 122nd meeting between the men's teams and the 75th between the women's teams. The men's series began in the 1947-48 season, and the women's series started in 1977-78.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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