March 2, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB junior guard/forward Robert Vaden is beginning to reap rewards for his outstanding week last week, as he was tabbed CollegeHoops.net National Player of the Week. According to the website, Vaden earned the award above the likes of Houston's Robert McKiver, Kansas State's Michael Beasley and Boston College's Tyrese Rice.

For the past week, Vaden averaged 35.5 points and 5.0 rebounds en route to leading the Blazers (21-8, 11-3 C-USA) to two important league wins. In the process, UAB improved to 13-3 over its last 16 contests.

According to the website, "The list of impressive and standout performances gets bigger as the season winds down as the star players step-up and attempt to lead their teams to victory. However, many of those big-time games are done in losing efforts. Therefore, this week's honor goes to UAB's Robert Vaden, who had an outstanding week, and - get this - his team actually won two games."

UAB not only won two games, but it also stands all alone in second place entering the final week of the season. With a win over the final two contests, the Blazers will clinch second place in the league standings.

Vaden was the main reason for the wins - he finished with 41 points, six rebounds and three assists against UTEP, and 30 points and four rebounds vs. Tulane. He also shot 14-of-25 from three-point range and 19-of-21 from the foul line in the two games. The 6-5 junior is now averaging 22.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game on the season.

Vaden also set single-game school records for three-pointers made (9), points in a road game (41) and tied the single-game scoring record.

The Blazers will look to keep the success going, when they close the 2007-08 home slate against Tulsa on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at Bartow Arena.