Downtown St. Catharines will be buzzing when the Badgers take on the McMaster Marauders next month during Brock University's Paint the Meridian Red basketball showcase.

The two teams will renew their rivalry for the third consecutive year on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Meridian Centre.

The night's festivities begin with the women's game at 6 p.m. followed by the men's game at 8 p.m.

Tickets – including general admission, club level and courtside seats – can be purchased at ticketmaster.ca

For David Velasco, Interim Manager of Events and Partnerships with Brock Sports, Paint the Meridian Red is an opportunity to see the Brock community unite.

"Paint the Meridian Red is the night our entire Brock Badgers community comes together to demonstrate its pride," Velasco said. "The energy and enthusiastic fans in the stands show exactly what it means to be a Badger. It's an incredible honour to help create an experience that brings our community together."

Having been with the Brock men's basketball program since 2016, lead assistant coach William Gatchalian understands the significance of this event for the student-athlete experience and its impact on the Niagara basketball community.

"This event is always a great experience for our players and staff and the overall Brock community. It's exciting for our student-athletes to get to play under the bright lights of a professional basketball venue, and few U SPORTS teams get the opportunity to host an annual arena game," said Gatchalian, who also serves as an assistant coach with the Niagara River Lions of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Mackenzie Robinson, a former Brock Badgers women's basketball player and this year's new lead assistant coach, is equally impressed by the game's strong community spirit.
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The atmosphere on this night at the Meridian Centre, with an arena full of community members, students and fans cheering on Brock basketball, is electrifying." Robinson said. "There is always strong support from the greater Niagara community through our summer golf alumni events and during the regular season, but when Paint the Meridian Red happens, we see that support grow tenfold. This event is an excellent reminder of the importance of hosting community events and how privileged we are to showcase Brock University sports."

During the Paint the Meridian Red event, fans can explore a community zone with family-friendly activities, browse Brock Badgers merchandise at the Brock Campus Store and expect giveaways to take place throughout both games.

Students will also get free transportation to and from campus included with the purchase of their ticket.