The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Mo Finley Named Conference USA Co-Player Of The Week
12/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2002
Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Jordan
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- For his efforts in leading the University of Alabama at Birmingham men's basketball team to the Sierra Providence SunClassic tournament title last week, junior guard Morris Finley was named the Conference USA Co-Player of the Week. Finley becomes the first UAB player to garner the honor since Will Campbell received the award for the week of February 5, 2001.
"I am excited and happy for Mo," UAB head coach Mike Anderson said. "This award is a tribute to his hard work and his teammates' effort. If it weren't for his teammates, Mo doesn't get the award. It is the first time in a long time UAB has received this honor, so it is good for the program."
Finley went 10-of-20 (.500) from the floor, 4-of-8 (.500) from behind the arc, the shot 9-of-13 from the free-throw line in two games against Air Force and Columbia. He averaged 16.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per contest in the two victories en route to being named the SunClassic Tournament MVP. It was the Blazers first tournament title since 1993.
Against Air Force, he led the team to a 69-59 win by scoring 18 points and grabbing five rebounds from his shooting guard spot - both team highs. In the championship game against Columbia, Finley scored a game-high 15 points despite sitting the final 11:21 of the contest to give way to some of the reserves in the 71-49 victory.
Over his last five contests, Finley is averaging 22.2 ppg, 2.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals. Finley is a key factor in UAB's 8-2 start, its best since the 1995-96 campaign.
Memphis' Chris Massie shared the award with Finley.
The Blazers will next play host to Mississippi State on Thursday, January 2, at 7 p.m. in Bartow Arena.
