Jan. 9, 2008

UAB vs. East Carolina Game Notes | Gametracker | Watch & Listen Live

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's basketball team will play a pair of Conference USA games in three days when it hosts East Carolina on Thursday at 7:00 p.m., followed by a matchup with Marshall on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

The Blazers enter Thursday's game with an overall record of 5-9 and a 1-0 mark in league play. UAB won its lone C-USA game thus far, topping Memphis 76-63 last Sunday.

UAB and East Carolina will be meeting for the 12th time Thursday, with the Pirates holding a 6-5 advantage in the all-time series. The two squads played each other three times last season. UAB won both games in the regular season, while ECU won the matchup in the semifinals of the C-USA tournament.

Senior guard/forward Diamond Rogers leads UAB and Conference USA in scoring with 17.4 ppg, including five 20-plus point games and a pair of double-doubles this season. Rogers also paces the Blazers in rebounding (7.6 rpg), assists (3.7 apg) and blocks (7).

Senior guard Crystal McFadden and junior guard Britney Jones have also been key factors for the Blazers. McFadden is putting up 13.6 ppg while leading the squad in field goal percentage at .427. Jones is contributing 11.3 ppg and is leading UAB and is third in C-USA in steals with 2.7 per outing.

East Carolina, which is the defending C-USA tournament champions, comes into Bartow Arena with a 6-8 record that includes an 0-1 mark in conference games. The Pirates dropped their league opener at Marshall this past Saturday, 81-55.

Junior LaCoya Terry is the leading scorer for East Carolina with 14.5 ppg, while also adding 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Junior guard Jasmine Young is adding 13.6 ppg and pacing the Pirates in assists and steals with 6.0 apg and 1.6 spg.

The Marshall Thundering Herd, which has a 9-5 record and is 1-0 in the league, will visit Bartow Arena Saturday evening after having played at Memphis on Thursday.

Saturday will mark the sixth meeting between the two programs, with Marshall having a 3-2 edge in the all-time series. The Blazers and the Thundering Herd met twice last season, with each squad winning on the opposing team's floor.

Senior Kizzy Hart is averaging 14.6 ppg to lead the Thundering Herd in scoring, followed by junior Casey Baker with 12.9 ppg. Senior Meagan Samis is pacing Marshall on the boards with 5.4 rpg, while Baker is the team leader in assists and steals with 3.3 and 3.6 per game, respectively.

Thursday's game between UAB and East Carolina will also serve as the NCAA/Conference USA "Pack The House Challenge" Night at Bartow Arena. The "Pack The House Challenge" is a competition between all of the Conference USA schools to see who can bring the most fans out to a women's basketball game.

Tickets for Thursday's game can be purchased at the door for $5.00 for adults. Youth ages 18 and under, as well as all UAB students, receive free admission.

Saturday's game tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of the game. Prices are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for youth.