PEMBROKE - The UNC Pembroke men's basketball team will play a pair of former Peach Belt Conference rivals Friday and Sunday to close out the opening week of the 2026-27 season. The Braves will travel to Greenwood, S.C., to battle with Lander on Friday at 7 p.m. inside Horne Arena, and then close out the weekend hosting USC Aiken for Family Night on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. 

Fans unable to make the trip to Greenwood, S.C., can follow the game for free via live statistics and live video provided for Lander. Fans unable to make the trip to Pembroke on Sunday can follow the game for free via a live video stream on the UNCP Sports Network with Alex Inbornone handling play-by-play duties. Live statistics will also be provided by UNCP.


 

 

UNC Pembroke (0-1) vs. No. 7 Lander (1-1)
Game Information
Date & Tip Time	Friday, November 13 at 7 p.m. ET
Location	Greenwood, S.C. | Horne Arena
Live Statistics	Sidearm Sports
Watch Live	PBC Sports Network
Conference Carolinas	Men's Basketball
Peach Belt Conference	Men's Basketball

UNC Pembroke (0-1) vs. USC Aiken (1-0)
Game Information
Date & Tip Time	Sunday, November 15 at 7 p.m. ET
Location	Pembroke, N.C. | Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court
Live Statistics	Sidearm Sports
Watch Live	Conference Carlinas Digital Network
Conference Carolinas	Men's Basketball
Peach Belt Conference	Men's Basketball
Series Notes
Friday will mark the 63rd time that the two teams have met with the series tied 31-31. UNC Pembroke has won the last two contests when playing in Greenwood, S.C., including a 93-74 victory over Lander on Nov. 10, 2024. However, the Bearcats defeated the Braves 80-74 in the last meeting on Nov. 16, 2025. USC Aiken leads the all-time series with UNC Pembroke 37-24 and have won the last two meetings, including a 75-72 victory in the last meeting on Nov. 14, 2025, in Aiken, S.C.
Scouting Report: UNC Pembroke
UNC Pembroke suffered a 104-96 setback at USC Beaufort on Tuesday for the season opener. The Braves shot 50.8 percent from the field, but allowed 25 second chance points for the Sand Sharks. UNCP tallied seven blocks during blocks during Friday's setback. The Black & Gold are 12-18 when playing in Greenwood, S.C., against Lander. UNCP has won six out of the last seven meetings with Lander when playing in Greenwood, S.C. Newcomer Jaquarious Patterson came off of the bench on Tuesday to turn in a game-high 23 points on an 8-for-10 shooting performance. The junior also grabbed five rebounds and had three steals in 14 minutes of work.
Scouting Report: #7 Lander
Lander enters Friday's game following a 59-56 setback to No. 12 Oklahoma Baptist on Sunday in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. The Bearcats held a 36-21 lead at halftime, but shot just 29.1 percent from the field in the second half.  LU averages 66.0 points per game and is shooting 45.3 percent from the field. Opponents are averaging 62.5 points per game while shooting 40.2 percent from the floor.  Lander is forcing opponents into 11.0 turnovers each game and scoring 15.0 points from those miscues.  Amir Reaves and Jameel Rideout are both averaging 18.0 points per game through the first two games. Reaves is shooting 54.2 percent from the field, while Rideout is shooting 44.8 percent from the field.
Scouting Report: USC Aiken
USC Aiken opened the season with a 79-64 victory over Newberry on Monday. The Pacers shot 39.3 percent from the field, but made good on 27-of-33 free throw attempts.  USCA forced Newberry into 18 turnovers and scored 21 points from those turnovers.  Two out of the last three games between UNC Pembroke and USC Aiken have been decided by nine total points.  Cameron Newman came off of the bench to turn in a game-high 23 points on a 5-for-7 shooting performance.