GAME NOTES: The East Carolina Pirates return to action for the first time in a week, as they host the Marshall Thundering Herd in Conference USA play tonight. The Pirates have had plenty of time to regroup from their last outing on January 9th, which resulted in a 99-58 beating at the hands of nationally- ranked Memphis. It wasn't exactly the best way to kick off their C-USA campaign, as the Pirates had their brief two-game win streak snapped. Now at 6-8 overall, ECU returns home, where it has gone just 5-6 thus far. As for Marshall, it also faced Memphis in its last outing and like ECU, it suffered a lopsided loss, 68-45, on Saturday. The setback snapped the team's three-game win streak, as it dipped to 9-5 overall and an even 1-1 conference play. The Herd now take to the road, where they have won just once in four tries. Marshall leads the all-time series with ECU, 6-2, and that includes a sweep of a two meetings last season.

Marshall shot a dismal 33.3 percent from the floor and it turned the ball over 19 times in a 68-45 loss to Memphis this past weekend. The team also struggled at the foul line (10-of-20) and it was even outscored in the paint, 40-16, in the setback. Mark Dorris and Markel Humphrey each scored 12 points to lead the Herd in defeat. For the season, Humphrey tops the roster in scoring at 14.6 ppg and he is also collecting 4.6 rpg. Dorris is next in line with 13.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg, while Tirrell Baines puts forth 12.8 ppg and a team-best 6.6 rpg. Overall, Marshall is turning in 69.3 ppg on 43.0 percent shooting from the field this season.

ECU was dominated on the boards, 52-31, and outscored at the foul line, 31-10, as it was blown out by Memphis in its last outing. The Pirates struggled with their shot as well, hitting on just 36.2 percent from the floor. Darrell Jenkins and John Fields tallied 11 points apiece to pace ECU, while Sam Hinnant was limited to just six points. For the season, Hinnant is the only player on the roster averaging in double figures, with 11.4 ppg on the strength of 39.2 percent shooting from three-point range. As a whole, the Pirates are producing 70.4 ppg behind 42.8 percent shooting from the floor thus far.

Marshall has a few more weapons than ECU and that should help it slip by the Pirates for the win tonight.