PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- The Pikeville community is invited to a fun, free night of basketball, cheering, dancing and so much more as the annual Basketball Blast-Off hosted by the University of Pikeville men's and women's basketball teams is set to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at UPIKE Gym.

There will be free food and drinks while supplies last. Both of the Bear teams will play a 15 minute scrimmage with performances by the UPIKE cheer and dance teams also scheduled.

In between there will be games and prizes for some lucky fans.

The Basketball Blast-Off is the official kickoff to the 2017-18 seasons for UPIKE as its first regular-season games are scheduled for 8 p.m. ET next Friday for the men and Tuesday, Oct. 31 against Marian in Indianapolis, Ind., for the women.

-UPIKE-