The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Welcome USC Upstate Wednesday Night
12/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
USC Upstate (3-9) vs. UAB (6-3)
7:00 p.m. CST | Birmingham, Ala. | Bartow Arena
Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio | Game Notes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Currently tied for the 15th-longest home winning streak in the NCAA, the UAB men's basketball team looks to continue its undefeated December on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when the Blazers welcome USC Upstate to Bartow Arena.
Blazer fans can catch all the action by listening live to David Crane, "The Voice of the Blazers," and Steve Mitchell on the flagship station for UAB men's basketball, WZRR-FM 99.5 Nash Icon.
Fans are also encouraged to join the Blazers for an out of this world night. The 501st Legion will be present and dressed as your favorite galactic warriors, and the best dressed fan will receive a $50 gift card to Carmike Cinemas. Barnes & Noble UAB will have official UAB Star Wars merchandise available for sale.`
UAB (6-3) captured its third consecutive victory Sunday following its 79-73 win over Seattle. Blazer sophomore Chris Cokley tied his career high with 25 points and added five rebounds to help UAB secure its 13th straight home win. Overall, Cokley paces UAB with 16.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 64.1 percent from the field, which stands as the 18th-best field goal percentage in the NCAA.
Robert Brown added 18 points on six three-pointers and Denzell Watts and William Lee each chipped in with 11 points apiece. Lee also tallied five blocked shots and ranks seventh in the NCAA with 3.1 rejections per game. The Plantersville, Ala., native enters play Wednesday with 79 career blocks and needs three more to move into the top-10 all-time at UAB.
USC Upstate (3-9) opened the season with seven straight losses before winning three of its last five heading into play on Wednesday. The Spartans picked up their first road win of the season Monday after posting a 66-57 victory at Navy.
Freshman guard Deion Holmes leads Upstate with 15.0 points per game and senior Marvin Smith pulls down a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game.
UAB and USC Upstate will be meeting on the hardwood for the first time when the two teams tip off Wednesday. The Blazers, however, are 26-8 all-time in games against teams currently in the Atlantic Sun Conference. UAB is 25-8 all-time against Jacksonville and 1-0 against Stetson. UAB and Jacksonville were both in the Sun Belt Conference from 1979-1991.
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.
UAB ticket mini plans are now on sale and in high demand. The Holiday 3-Pointer includes games against Hiwassee College (Dec. 22), 2015 NCAA Tournament participant Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 29) and the Blazer's Conference USA home opener against Middle Tennessee (Jan 3). Lower level seats can be purchased for $36 ($60 value), or $24 in the upper level ($45 value). The Conference USA Season Pass is available for $119 in the lower level, (a savings of over $60) and only $79 in the upper level, ($56 off the regular price).
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).
