With the University Athletic Association title up for grabs, the 11th-ranked Washington University men’s basketball team heads east this weekend in its last road trip of the season to take on Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Rochester.

The Bears (18-3 overall, 9-2 UAA) are currently tied with No. 14, the University of Chicago, atop the UAA. The Maroons (18-4 overall, 9-2 UAA) also take on CMU and Rochester this weekend, and travel to Wash. U. Feb. 24 for each team’s last game of the regular season. The UAA champion receives the only automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. There is no conference tournament.

After two road losses, the Bears bounced back last weekend to secure home victories against both Emory and Case Western Reserve. Sophomore point guard Sean Wallis was named UAA Athlete of the Week for averaging 20 points and nine assists in the team’s two wins, including a career-high performance of 27 points on 9-14 shooting, against Emory last Friday.

Having lost three consecutive UAA road games, the CMU Tartans (12-9, 5-6 UAA) look to improve from their sixth place position in the UAA standings Friday night against Wash. U. The Tartans finished first in the UAA last season, but lost all five starters to graduation.

Carnegie Mellon is now led by sophomore forward Ryan Einwag, who averages 15.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest, and junior guard Geoff Kozak, who contributes 11.1 points per game.

Earlier this season, Wash. U. convincingly defeated the Tartans 73-49 at the WU Field House. The Bears brought a balanced attack, with four players finishing in double figures. The Tartans were held to 26.6 percent shooting from the field.

On Sunday, Rochester (16-6, 7-4 UAA) looks to win its sixth game in its last seven and hold onto its third place position in the UAA. The team is led by junior center Jon Onyiriuka, who averages 12 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Forwards Michael Chmielowiec and Uche Ndubizu and guard Tim Brackney also having scoring averages in the double figures for Rochester.

The Yellowjackets look to avenge a 68-59 defeat at the hands of the Bears earlier this season. Onyiriuka scored 22 points and pulled down 10 boards in the losing effort, while junior Troy Ruths led the Red and Green with 22 points and six rebounds.

Tip-off at Carnegie Mellon Friday is scheduled for 8 p.m. (EST), while Sunday’s match-up against Rochester begins at noon (EST).

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