The Bears are back. Washington University’s basketball teams return to the Field House after two weeks of a tough road trip with games against several UAA foes. Wash. U. comes home to take on Carnegie Mellon University on Friday before matching up against the University of Rochester Sunday.

The men’s team is looking for blood this weekend after dropping an extremely close overtime game against Rochester last Friday and losing to Carnegie Mellon on Sunday. The thrilling match on Friday between the Yellowjackets and the Bears ended 73-70.

Both men’s teams are in a three-way tie for first in the UAA with records of 5-2 in conference play. “[Rochester and Carnegie Mellon] put us in a rut,” said freshman forward Spencer Gay. “Two victories this weekend will get us back on track.”

The Lady Bears are looking to bring the No. 7 University of Rochester Yellowjackets down to the same level after losing by a single possession in a 58-55 overtime thriller last Friday. The Lady Bears are also looking to continue their comeback after beating Carnegie Mellon 54-47.

The Red and Green enter the weekend with a 13-5 overall record including five wins and two losses in the UAA, which puts them at a tie for second with Brandeis. Rochester currently holds the top spot in the UAA with a 7-0 record and a 17-1 overall record.

Both teams hope fans will jam the stands this weekend as home court advantage plays a big role in basketball. “This weekend is huge for both the women’s and men’s basketball teams,” said captain Jill Brandt, a junior. “The four games this weekend will say a lot about how our two teams will end up in the conference rankings.”

Friday’s games celebrate Think Pink Day where the Washington University in St. Louis Department of Athletics teams up with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to raise awareness of breast cancer. Over 800 colleges across the country are participating in Think Pink festivities this week.

“It’s supposed to be a pink out,” said junior Krystyn Stowe, who works for the athletic department. “It’s a good cause to go watch Wash. U. sports and get involved in raising awareness about breast cancer.”

To further the Think Pink theme of the Friday games, cotton candy will be sold with all proceeds going to the WBCA, which will donate the money to fight breast cancer across the country. A breast cancer survivor will also talk about her experiences at halftime.

Fans are asked to wear pink, but the first 500 Wash. U. students to arrive will receive free pink T-shirts bearing the words “Bear’s Basketball” and Think Pink bracelets.

“My aunt is currently battling breast cancer, so I know how it can affect a family and know how much it can mean when you see a pink ribbon or bracelet,” said Brandt. “I can’t wait to see all of our fans pinked out.”

The woman’s squad will be warming up in pink shooting shirts to show their support, with their Friday game scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Afterwards, the men are set to begin their battle royale at 8 p.m.

Sunday’s games are filled with Youth Day festivities with a special appearance by J.J. Jumper, the NCAA’s official mascot. There will be free autographs and J.J. Jumper giveaways for children at the event. Students will be treated to free bagels, orange juice and coffee, courtesy of Red Alert. The men’s game against third-ranked Rochester is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday while the tip-off of the women’s game against the Yellowjackets is set for 1:30 p.m.

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