Feb. 14, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB men's basketball team returns to the friendly confines of Bartow Arena for the first time in the month of February when the Blazers square off against East Carolina on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's game between the Blazers (14-6, 7-2) and Pirates (9-11, 1-9) will mark the third meeting in series history, including the second meeting between the two teams this season. UAB took a 71-68 win in Greenville, N.C., on January 7. The Blazers have never lost to East Carolina, owning a 3-0 record, while UAB head coach Mike Anderson is 1-0 vs. Pirates.

UAB got back on the winning track with a 69-65 win at Southern Miss this past Wednesday. UAB has three players averaging in double figures led by Gabe Kennedy's 12.2 ppg. Mo Finley follows closely with 11.9 ppg, while Ronell Taylor also averages 10.1 ppg. Kennedy also leads the team with 6.0 rebounds per contest and Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson averages a team-best 3.8 assists per game.

After starting the campaign 8-1, the Pirates have dropped 10 of their last 11 contests. Most recently, East Carolina fell 79-73 at home to Memphis last Wednesday. ECU is led by senior Derrick Wiley who averages 14.6 ppg and is the only Pirate to average double figures. Senior Erroyl Bing averages 9.4 ppg and a team-high 7.9 rebounds per contest, while Japhet McNeil has a team-high average of 4.0 assists/game.

The game can be heard locally on WYDE 101.1 FM with the pregame show beginning at 7 p.m. CST. It can also be followed live through Gametracker on the internet by accessing www.uabsports.com.