The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Host Marshall Thursday in Blackout Game
2/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Marshall (15-12, 11-3) vs. UAB (22-5, 12-2)
7:00 p.m. CST | Birmingham, Ala. | Bartow Arena
Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio | Game Notes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB men's basketball team returns home for the first time since Feb. 6 when the Blazers host Marshall in a pivotal matchup Thursday at 7 p.m. from Bartow Arena.
All fans are encouraged to wear black to help blackout Bartow Arena. The first 1,000 students in attendance will receive a free black UAB shirt, while all other individuals can purchase the official shirt at the UAB Bookstore for $10.
In addition, Gang Green and UAB men's basketball will host a student tailgate at 5 p.m. outside the south entrance. Full Moon BBQ will offer free hot dogs and hamburgers to all students with their ID.
Blazer fans can catch all the action by listening live to David Crane, "The Voice of the Blazers," and Blazer legend Steve Mitchell on the flagship station for UAB men's basketball, WZRR-FM 99.5 Nash Icon.
UAB (22-5, 12-2) holds a one-game lead over Marshall with four games remaining in the regular season. The Blazers turned in an 81-78 victory over the Thundering Herd earlier this season to hand Marshall its only home loss in Conference USA.
The Blazers maintained sole possession of first place Sunday after posting a 77-67 road victory over Middle Tennessee. Dirk Williams scored 19 points and hit three 3-pointers to lead UAB to its eighth road win of the season.
William Lee added 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots and enters the week having blocked at least one shot in 39 straight games. The Plantersville, Ala., native is also third in the NCAA with 3.2 blocks per game.
Sophomore Chris Cokley opens play leading UAB in scoring (13.6 ppg), rebounding (6.6 rpg) and field goal percentage (.584).
Marshall (15-12, 11-3) has won four straight following home wins last week over Charlotte and Old Dominion. The Thundering Herd scored over 80 points during their four-game winning streak and lead Conference USA with 85.0 points per game.
Senior forward James Kelly paces Marshall with 20.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Jon Elmore (14.6 ppg), Ryan Taylor (14.3 ppg) and Steve Browning (13.0 ppg) also average in double figures for the Thundering Herd.
UAB and Marshall will meet on the hardwood for the 23rd time when the two schools matchup Thursday. The Blazers own a 16-6 lead in the all-time series that dates back to the 2003-04 season and have won six straight in the series and eight of the last nine overall.
The Conference USA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are set to return to Birmingham for the second consecutive year, marking the third time the Blazers will host the event. The men's tournament, as well as the women's semifinals and championship, will be played at Legacy Arena in downtown Birmingham, while the women's first round and quarterfinal action will take place at UAB's Bartow Arena.
For more information on UAB men's basketball, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MBB), on Instagram (@blazerhoops) or on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABMensBasketball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
