The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Face First Road Test Of Season At Marshall
12/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2004
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - After opening the 2004-05 season with a successful three-game home stand, the UAB Blazers (3-0) travel to future-Conference USA member Marshall Saturday, seeking revenge for their only home loss last year. The Thundering Herd upset UAB, 68-66, on Dec. 30 of last season to become the only blemish for the Blazers in Bartow Arena for the year. They meet at 7 p.m. (ET)/6 p.m. (CT) Saturday night in MU's Henderson Center.
"They came down here and kind of stole one from us," UAB head coach Mike Anderson said. "We would like to get one back. I've been happy with our defense of late, but we need to really establish a consistency with our tempo. If we dictate the pace of the game, we have a better chance of being successful."
UAB is coming off a statement victory, of sorts, after beating Big 12 member Nebraska, 80-66, in front of a national ESPN2 viewing audience Thursday night. Postman Marques Lewis announced his presence with a 19-point, career-high effort. Four Blazers scored in double figures as UAB ran away during the second half to win handily.
Marshall has struggled early on this season, losing to UNC Wilmington, Oregon and Eastern Michigan. The Thundering Herd did, however, beat former UAB coach Murry Bartow's East Tennessee State Bucs, 80-76, in the Henderson Center on Nov. 23, for their only win of the year.
The Herd is led by Joe Miles' 15.0 points per game. Mark Patton (11.8 ppg., 10.0 rpg.) and David Anderson (10.0 ppg.) also average double-figures.
Last year, Marshall's Mark Patton hit two free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining to nab the two-point victory over UAB. Gabe Kennedy led the Blazers with 20 points while Richard Jones added 10. Marvin Black paced Marshall with 13. Patton and Ronny Dawn scored 10 each for Ron Jirsa's club in the victory. The Blazers wound up with just one loss in 15 home games, that being to the Herd.
The nail-biter has likely sparked an interesting future between the schools, which will be conference rivals beginning next year. Marshall joins Conference USA in 2005-06, along with Rice, Southern Methodist, Tulsa, UCF and UTEP next season.
The game can be heard on the Blazer Sports Network which airs in Birmingham on WYDE, 101.1 FM. After Marshall, UAB prepares to face its first ranked foe of the year when it visits No. 6 Oklahoma State next Friday in a game that will air on ESPN2.
