GAME NOTES: After losing three straight games in the annual Battle 4 Atlantis, the UAB Blazers will try to change their luck as they host the Morehead State Eagles in a non-conference tilt at Bartow Arena.

Morehead State already has plenty of experience this season having playing nine games, entering this clash sporting a 4-5 record on the year. The Eagles had won two contests in a row, but most recently dropped a 63-59 decision to East Tennessee State.

The Blazers haven't played in a game since Nov. 28 when they were dropped for the third time in a row in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. The team's most recent loss came against UCLA, 88-76, which dropped UAB back to 2-5 on the season.

This clash between Morehead State and UAB on the hardwood represents the first-ever meeting between the programs.

Neither Morehead State nor East Tennessee State shot very well in the head-to- head battle on Dec. 1, which resulted in a win for the Buccaneers. Morehead State connected on just 37.7 percent of its field goal tries in the game, which included a 6-of-21 mark from 3-point range. Angelo Warner led the team with 13 points and five assists in the loss, while Lyonell Gaines and Corban Collins each contributed 12 points. Collins added a team-high seven rebounds for the Eagles.

In nine games played this season, only two Morehead State players have a scoring average that falls into the double digits. Warner tops the squad with a 16.6 ppg mark on 53.3 percent shooting from the floor, and Brent Arrington chips in with 11.0 ppg for the Eagles, who come into this clash with UAB netting an average of 71.4 ppg as a unit. The team is allowing just 62.3 ppg to opponents in the same span of nine games. Kareem Storey (8.0 ppg) leads the team with 42 assists on the season.

UCLA proved to be way too strong for UAB in the team's final leg of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. The Bruins shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the contest, and held a 49-33 advantage over UAB at the half that was effectively enough to end the hopes for the Blazers. UAB shot 38.2 percent in the contest, and was led in scoring by 17 points apiece from C.J. Washington (who also had eight rebounds) and Nick Norton. Chris Cokley and Lewis Sullivan each chipped in with 13 points, while Tyler Madison rounded out the team's double-digit scorers with 11 off the bench in the loss.

Washington and Robert Brown are the only two UAB players to average a double- digit point total this season. Washington checks in at 10.4 ppg to lead the Blazers, while Brown averages 10.0 ppg for a team netting 64.9 ppg through seven games. Washington also leads the squad in rebounding, bringing down 5.1 rpg. UAB hasn't been as strong defensively as in past seasons, allowing some opponents to score an average of 70.6 ppg, though some of those opponents have been very tough competition. Norton tops the squad with 36 assists through seven starts.

Both teams have had their ups and downs, and UAB, which was one of the best rebounding teams in the nation last season, is looking to find more of that defensive spark. Playing at home against an offense that has been inconsistent should help get the Blazers back on track.