SALT LAKE CITY – Westminster men's basketball will open the 2019-20 season by hosting the University of Texas at Tyler and Texas A&M University-Commerce in the Conference Challenge this weekend at Behnken Field House.

The Conference Challenge tips off on Friday, November 8 at 5:30 p.m. with Dixie State facing Texas A&M-Commerce. Westminster will then play its season opener at 7:30 p.m. against UT-Tyler.

The Griffins conclude the season-opening weekend on Saturday, November 9 against Texas A&M-Commerce. Dixie State and UT-Tyler will play at 5:30 p.m.

Westminster finished last season 10-16 overall,  8-14 in RMAC play. The Griffins return their top three scorers – junior guard Brandon Warr (13.8 ppg), redshirt senior Jai Jai Ely (12 ppg) and graduate student Jake Connor (10.9 ppg).

UT-Tyler is coming off an 8-17 season in 2018-19. The Patriots' roster is full of upper classmen, with eight seniors and five juniors. Sophomore Darius Alford led UT-Tyler in scoring last season at 18.5 points per game as a freshman. Alford was named the American Southwest Conference Tri-Freshman of the Year and earned All-ASC honors.

Texas A&M-Commerce finished 24-9 in 2018-19 and was picked to finish third in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll. The Lions are coming off their third consecutive trip to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. Senior Deonta Terrell is the team's returning leading scorer, averaging 9.8 ppg last season.