University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles Try To Snap Losing Streak
2/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Eagles Try To Snap Losing Streak
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss tries to snap a five-game losing streak when UAB visits Green Coliseum for a Feb. 4, 7 p.m, game that will be televised by Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS).
The Golden Eagles have not won since an 84-67 decision over Memphis (1-11-03), and currently are 9-9, overall, and 2-5, in Conference USA play, after an 80-62 loss at Memphis over the weekend.
UAB had the weekend off, and brings a 4-2 league record and 12-5 overall mark into the game. The Blazers currently are at the top of the National division, while Southern Miss dropped to sixth place following the loss at Memphis.
Southern Miss dropped an 84-71 decision to the Blazers two weeks ago in Birmingham, Ala. In that game, UAB led 40-32 at the half and outscored the Eagles, 44-39, in the second half.
Morris Finley had 19 points to lead the winners, while Charles Gaines had the same number for the Eagles, who also got 15 points from Greg Johnson and 13 more from Jasper Johnson. Southern Miss shot just .407 (22-54) from the field in that game.
Gaines continues to lead Southern Miss in scoring at 14.6 points a game, after getting 17 in the Memphis game, and in rebounding with 9.8 boards a game, after grabbing nine at Memphis. Both Johnsons, Greg (13.1) and Jasper (10.9), also are in double figures in scoring. Finley tops the Blazers, at 17.6 points a game.
With the victory last month, UAB now leads the series with southern Miss, 12-7. The two teams split games last season, each winning at home. In fact, in the history of C-USA, each team owns one sweep, and the other five seasons the two teams have split their two-game series.
UAB is coached by Mike Anderson, one of four first-year coaches in C-USA.
Following the UAB game, Southern Miss goes back on the road for games at East Carolina, Feb. 8, and at TCU, Feb. 12.
The men's C-USA Tournament is scheduled for Mar. 12-15, at Freedom Hall in Louisville. Tickets and/or ticket information may be obtained from the Southern Miss Athletic Ticket Office located in the Ferlise Center, or by calling 1-800-844-TICK or 601-266-5418.
