GAME NOTES: The Tulsa Golden Hurricane storm into Minges Coliseum this evening to take on the East Carolina Pirates in a Conference-USA battle. This past weekend the Golden Hurricane grabbed a convincing, 78-63 victory over Southern Mississippi. It was just the third win in the last nine games for Tulsa, which is now just 3-6 in C-USA play. Next up for the Golden Hurricane will be three consecutive home games, beginning with UTEP this Saturday. As for the Pirates, they have lost five of their last six games, including an embarrassing, 83-49 setback to Marshall this past Saturday. The current skid has dropped the Pirates to a mere 2-6 in league action. Although the team only has eight victories on the season, the squad has won seven of those contests at home. Last year the Golden Hurricane grabbed a convincing, 65-50 victory over ECU, and now lead the all-time series by a 3-1 margin.

The Golden Hurricane exploded at the offensive end of the court this past weekend, as the team hammered Southern Mississippi, 78-63. In the win, Tulsa shot a staggering 59.2 percent from the floor and also made 18-of-27 foul shots. It was a rare performance for Tulsa, which has been mediocre at best offensively, netting just 70.8 ppg, while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor. Ben Uzoh, who is leading the team with 14.9 ppg, paced the squad in the win over Southern Miss, scoring 18 points to go along with seven rebounds. Jerome Jordan added 17 points, while Brett McDade and Calvin Watts tallied 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The Pirates' one glaring problem is that the team does not have a real number one scoring option. Sam Hinnant is the only player averaging double figures on the season, but the guard is netting just 11.3 ppg. As a whole, East Carolina is averaging a mere 67.8 ppg, while shooting 42.2 percent from the floor. The horrendous offensive play was on full display this past weekend, as the team scored just 49 points in an embarrassing, 34-point loss to Marshall. In the lopsided loss, the Pirates shot just 38.6 percent from the floor and made only 8-of-17 free-throw attempts. Not one player finished in double figures, as Cory Farmer led the squad with nine points. As for Hinnant, he was a mere 2-of-4 from the floor, finishing the game with just six points.

The Pirates have played their best basketball at home this season. However, the Golden Hurricane seem too strong for ECU, especially on the glass, which will likely play a huge role in this matchup.