Guard Darius Thompson dunks during Hilltopper Hysteria on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, at Houchens-Smith. (Austin Anthony/photo@bgdailynews.com)

Western Kentucky’s basketball program and Samford are partnering to raise money for the ongoing hurricane relief effort with a “Pack The Pete For Hurricane Relief” game at 1 p.m. Sunday at Pete Hanna Center in Birmingham, Ala.

The NCAA has granted numerous programs waivers to add exhibition games with the proceeds going to relief efforts following a series of devastating hurricanes in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Proceeds from Sunday’s game will be donated to the Red Cross Hurricane Irma Relief Fund for Florida.

Admission is free for the game, but a $10 donation is being requested from the Samford Athletic Department to help provide relief for Hurricane Irma victims in Florida.

Gates will open to the arena at noon Sunday.

The Hilltoppers and Bulldogs have met eight times before in regular-season competition, with WKU winning each matchup.

They last met Nov. 23, 2013, in Bowling Green, when the Hilltoppers pulled out a 67-64 victory.

Before that meeting, the teams hadn’t played since 1986.

Last year, Samford finished 20-16 under head coach Scott Padgett – the program’s most victories in 11 years and its first winning season since 2005-06.

This will be the first contest against outside competition this year for both programs. WKU will host Campbellsville (Nov. 1) and Cumberland University (Nov. 7) in exhibitions before opening the regular season at home against Missouri State on Nov. 10.

Samford hosts Spring Hill College on Nov. 5 in an exhibition before opening the regular season at Arkansas on Nov. 10.