March 23, 2003

Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Jordan

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB men's basketball team (20-12, 8-8 C-USA) will play the Siena Saints (20-10, 12-6 MAAC) for the right to go to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament on Tuesday, March 25, at 6 p.m. CST. It will mark the first time the two teams have met on the basketball court.

The Saints enter Tuesday night's contest with an overall record of 20-10 and finished 12-6 in the MAAC. Most recently, the Saints are coming off a 68-62 win over Western Michigan to reach the final 16 of the NIT. The Saints were led by senior guard Prosper Karangwa who accounted for a team-high 25 points and eight rebounds. Justin Miller also recorded a double-double with 20 points and 13 boards. Siena won the game from the foul line, where it was 24-of-37 on the night, compared to just 4-of-7 for Western Michigan. Siena boasts of three players averaging double figures in scoring. Karangwa leads the team with 16.7 ppg, while Michael Haddix and Tommy Mitchell each average 13.8 ppg. Karagwa also leads the team in assists, averaging 4.0 per contest, while Haddix leads the team with 7.4 rebounds a game.

The Blazers entered postseason play for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign and did not disappoint. UAB pulled out a hard fought 82-80 win over UL Lafayette in Bartow Arena. The Blazers were led by Gabe Kennedy's 19 points, while Mo Finley scored 17 and Eric Bush added 15, seven of which coming in the final three minutes of the game. The Blazers have three players averaging double figures in scoring led by Finley's 18.3 ppg average. Kennedy also averages 10.2 ppg, while freshman Demario Eddins averages 10.1 ppg. The team is led on the boards by Sidney Ball who averages 5.4 rebounds per contest/ Bush leads the team in assists (3.7) and steals (3.1) per game.

The broadcast station will be determined at a later time; however, will be heard live on either 1070 WAPI-AM or 690 WJOX-AM, with the pregame show beginning at 5:30 p.m. Gary Sanders will handle play-by-play, Matt Coulter will be the color analyst and Jon Gentile will produce the broadcast. The postgame show will follow immediately after the game.