PENSACOLA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Pensacola State Pirates and Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs will open their 2025-26 men’s junior college basketball seasons against each other on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Both teams enter the contest with 0-0 records, looking to establish an early identity in non-conference play. The game will be the first for both programs since their 2023-24 campaigns ended in February and March of last year.

Mississippi Gulf Coast last took the court in a narrow 83-81 road loss to Jones on March 15, 2024. Pensacola State’s most recent outing was a 75-51 defeat at the hands of Northwest Florida State on Feb. 28, 2024.

The matchup offers a fresh start for both squads. For the visiting Bulldogs, the game is the first of a challenging early schedule that includes a Nov. 13 road game against rival Pearl River and a Dec. 8 rematch with Jones.

The Pirates will look to defend their home court before embarking on a two-game road trip, traveling to face Lawson State on Nov. 8 and Coastal Alabama on Nov. 11.

Tipoff is set for Saturday at Pensacola State’s home venue.