Bridgewater College tips off its 2011-12 basketball season Saturday evening when the Eagles meet Division I High Point University in an exhibition contest.

This is the second straight year the Eagles have traveled to High Point to meet the Panthers in exhibition action. A year ago, High Point defeated the Eagles 83-63.

High Point is led by one of the top backcourt tandems in the Big South Conference. Nick Barbour averaged 17.7 points per game a year ago and is the Big South's top returning scorer. Shay Shine, his backcourt mate averaged 14.3 points per game.

The Panthers were picked sixth in Big South preseason poll.

Bridgewater College head coach Don Burgess, now in his fourth season with the Eagles, continues the rebuilding process with one of the youngest teams in Division III. Burgess, a former High Point assistant, has one senior and no juniors on the roster. Nine sophomores and seven freshmen round out the 17-player squad.

Senior Cody Griffith is Bridgewater's leading returner scorer as he averaged 10.2 points per game a year ago.

Bridgewater tips off its regular season Tuesday night at Nininger Hall when the Eagles host Averett University. Game time for the season-opener is 7:00 p.m.