2011_02_24

The

S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com

SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Volume 95 Issue 39

meet your

SGA Vice President Elect Jeffery McClendon

Attorney General Elect Rebecca Masters

President Elect Erick Brown

Treasurer Elect Devontae Washington

Election Commissioner Elect Jessica Dominguez

LOCAL

Students fundraise for family of Morgan The Luckyday Scholarship Foundation and the Southern Miss branch of Students Against Destructive Decisions are planning a drive to raise money for the family of slain student Brittany Morgan.

Luckyday and S.A.D.D. will be accepting donations on Thursday and Friday in the Union Lobby between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“Brittany and I were in Lucky-

day together,” said junior pre-med student Bergandee Hibbler. “We got really close in our freshman year.”

Hibbler said that Brittany Morgan she met with her Luckyday adviser to discuss the idea of a drive upon hearing the news.

“She was a wonderful person, which is why I felt motivated to do something on her behalf,” Hibbler said. “She impacted so many

people by her personality alone. I wanted to let her family know that the Southern Miss family loves and supports them.”

Morgan was murdered Sunday night at Town Villa Apartments in Hattiesburg. Morgan was a health policy and administration major.

Lamar County Coroner Andy Geske told WDAM that Morgan had been beaten and stabbed multiple times.

The Gulfport Police and U.S. Marshals arrested suspect Anthony Gipson, the victim’s boyfriend, early

Monday morning in the parking lot of Island View Casino. Gipson is now in the custody of the Hattiesburg Police Department and has been charged with Morgan’s murder.

Speaking to the Wayne County News, Britanny’s mother, Sherry Morgan, said that Gipson had been arrested and charged twice before for assaulting her daughter.

By Wednesday more than 750 people had joined a tribute page for Brittany on Facebook. Friends and acquaintances were posting condolences, sharing memories, and offer-

DOWNTOWN

BEAT THE HEAT

BASKETBALL

WEATHER

Ashton Pittman Printz Writer

Thursday

78/61 Friday

75/45 Saturday

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ing prayers and comfort to friends and family.

On the tribute page, childhood friend Dramara Roberts relayed one of her earliest memories of Brittany: “[On the] first day of kindergarten . . . I was crying, you took my hand and said, ‘Don’t cry lil girl. Let’s color this teddy bear’ . . . I love you, my friend.”

Memorial services are to be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Miss. Visitation is to be held at McDonald and Sons’ Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday.

INDEX Calendar ........................ 2 Crossword....................... 2 News .............................. 3 Arts & Entertainment .....5 Opinion............................6 Feature ............................7 Sports..............................8

Calendar

Page 2

The

Student Printz Serving Southern Miss since 1927 Executive Editor Samantha Schott

samantha.schott@eagles.usm.edu

Managing Editor Meryl Dakin

meryl.dakin@eagles.usm.edu

Art Director Eli Baylis

ross.baylis@eagles.usm.edu

Chief Designer Christopher Bostick

christopher.bostick@eagles.usm.edu

Mark Your Planner 24 25 26 27 28 10:00 a.m.

TOMS Club bake sale HUB

10:00 a.m.

Rock-A-Thon for Autism The Union

11:00 a.m.

SAAC Date Auction Shoemaker Square

7:30 p.m.

Snakebit Hartwig Theatre

ashton.pittman@eagles.usm.edu

7:00 p.m.

Delta Gamma’s Anchorsplash M.C. Johnson Auditorium

Sports Editor Travis Thornell travis.thornell@eagles.usm.edu

7:30 p.m.

Snakebit Hartig Theatre

chris.greene@eagles.usm.edu

News Content Adviser Chuck Cook 601.266.4288 chuck.cook@usm.edu

Writers Jonathan Andrews Tierra Clemmons Courtney Carter Deonica Davis Mary Margaret Halford Michelle Holowach Earvin Hopkins Marie John Hannah Jones Stormy Speaks Sarah Rogers Photographers Jordan Moore Jay Van Orsdol Mary Alice Truitt Designers Lisa Gurley Taylor Fesenmeier Ila Higginbotham

www.studentprintz.com

The Student Printz is published every Tuesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. Signature Offset of Hattiesburg provides printing services.

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publications manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

Advertising Manager Lesley Sanders-Wood 601.266.5188 printzad@usm.edu Sales Representative Angel Wells angelique.wells@eagles.usm.edu

7:30 p.m.

Snakebit Hartwig Theatre

2:00 p.m.

Snakebit Hartwig Theatre

7:00 p.m.

Eagle Awards Mannoni Auditorium

5:30 p.m.

College of Health Forum: “Perspectives on Health Care Reform-Which Way Forward” TCC I

Web Editor Ashton Pittman

Webmaster Chris Greene

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Dirty Birds 02-20-11 Lost Property Performing Arts - Prescription medication was taken from an unlocked locker.

02-21-11 Vehicle Traffic Stop 4th Street - John Blakeney, W/M, 44 yoa, Alabama address was arrested and charged with Speeding and Suspended Drivers License.

02-21-11 Disturbing the Peace 4th St. - One campus citation was issued for Noise Violation.

02-21-11 Disturbing the Peace College Drive - One campus citation was issued for Noise Violation.

02-21-11 Disturbing the Peace Golden Eagle Ave. - One campus citation was issued for Noise Violation.

02-21-11 Hit and Run East Memorial Dr. - Incident report on file.

02-21-11 Petit Larceny Ross Blvd. - A student reported the theft of the spare tire from underneath his truck.

02-22-11 Disturbing the Peace Montaque Blvd. - One campus citation was issued for Noise Violation.

02-22-11 Disturbing the Peace Black & Gold Blvd. - One campus citation was issued for Noise Violation.

02-22-11 Lost Property Stout Hall - A student reported forgot a Compaq laptop in the classroom and discovered it missing when he returned to get it.

02-22-11 Motor Vehicle Accident M K Turk Cr. - Incident report on file.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

local

News

Page 3

Flock to the block: party downtown Courtney Carter Printz Writer

Front Street in Downtown Hattiesburg is moving to the front of the entertainment scene with a shop to shop party hop this Saturday. The hot spots of Front Street are coming together to put Front Street on the map as the ultimate fine dining, unique shopping, culture and art mecca of the Hub City.

Each of the shops up and down the street will be hosting openhouse parties in order for the people of Hattiesburg to rediscover downtown as a destination for entertainment.

All of the shops are hosting approximately 10 mini-parties that

on campus

are blended to produce one massive event. All of the retailers will be hosting special discounts and the eateries along Front Street will be providing refreshments and meal specials for all in attendance. Live bands will be lining Front Street to provide a fun atmosphere as people mingle from shop to shop, party to party.

“The event is dubbed ‘Birds of a Feather’ because birds of a feather flock together,” said Jason LeVierre of Click Boutique on Front Street. “If you already like a spot on front street, chances are you will like all of the hot spots on front street. We are all a joint

not focus on the politics of the health care reform but the facts of what changes it will bring.

Kelly said that the issues the forum will discuss are important to everyone in the country because the changes that the Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010, brings will affect everyone.

“This is sweeping legislation and it will affect everyone: individuals, families, employers, health care providers and the federal, state and local governments,” said Ed Tucker, a visiting professor in the College of Health and one of the forum speakers.

He said, “I think it’s going to be part of students’ futures, so they can either stay in the dark about it and stumble through it, or they can learn about it and use that knowledge to their advantages in their careers.”

Tucker said knowing about

‘flock’ of unique shops with an eclectic vibe. Also it emphasizes that downtown isn’t something you do alone – it’s some place to

go with your inner circle of friends or family.”

All of the shops involved will run specials to people of all ages and to USM. “All specials are open to students,” LeVierre said.

“Students are encouraged to visit the Front Street shops they have never been to.”

“Southbound Bagel will be providing a student discount of 10 percent to students with a USM student ID, and free music for the party,” said co-owner of Southbound Bagel and Coffee Heidi Hackbarth.

All of the shops along Front Street are participating in the Birds of a Feather block party. The

immense variety of entertainment is provided by: 206 Front, McKenzies on Main, Brownstones, Toto’s Pet Apparel and Gift Gallery, Southbound Bagel and Coffee, Bianchi’s Pizzeria, A Gallery/ Plums, Southern Fried Comics, Click Boutique & Gallery, Goddard Studio Gallery, and Bennie’s Boom Boom Room.

The family of shops along Front Street has been working for six months to bring the birds of the Burg together to flock for this block party.

The heart of our shop beats for downtown,” LeVierre said.

“We love and support our ‘birds of a feather’ family. We have worked with our Front Street friends to create this night for the Hattiesburg community.”

the specifics of how health care works between employers and the government helped him further his own career. When he returned from military service in Vietnam, Medicare was a new policy. The knowledge he gained about it from working at hospitals on their own handling of the aid program landed him a job at one of the largest hospitals in the state at 28 years old.

“You have the opportunity to start on the ground floor and become an expert on this if you go ahead and learn about it,” he said, referring to the Affordable Care Act. Roy Mitchell, the executive director of the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program and Ricki Garrett, the executive director of the Mississippi Nurses Association will be the other speakers on the panel, which will take questions in addition

to their discussion.

Kelly said that the event is free and that, although this is a very politically charged subject, “we are going to try to keep it very neutral.”

“The cream of the crop in the health care business in Mississippi are taking time out of their schedules to come talk,” he said.

“These people are better suited to answer specific questions about the health care bill than politicians.”

The 1200-page Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act contains legislation that mandates having health insurance for all Americans and also requires employers to provide health insurance to employees or face a fine of $3,000 per employee. These requirements will have to be fulfilled by 2014.

The bill was signed into law in early 2010 amid criticism from

both sides of the aisle and from some Americans who viewed the requirement to buy insurance as unfair, or even unconstitutional.

The bill has persisted however, and three federal judges have upheld it as constitutional. Most recently, Judge Gladys Kessler of Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, threw out the constitutionality challenge.

In her opinion, Kessler said not buying insurance was an individual’s choice but that it burdened others who did have insurance with the cost of medical care that they couldn’t pay for.

“Because of this cost-shifting effect,” she wrote, “the individual decision to forgo health insurance, when considered in the aggregate, leads to substantially higher insurance premiums for those other individuals who do obtain coverage.”

Campus discusses health care reform Jonathan Andrews Printz Writer

The College of Health will host a nonpartisan discussion of recent health care reform tonight at 5:30 in the Thad Cochran Center Ballroom.

The forum, called “Perspectives on Health Care Reform – Which Way Forward?” is sponsored by the Hattiesburg Clinic and will focus on a having a “objective look at health care reform.”

Ryan Kelly, the director of external relations for the College of Health said, “We are trying to have a comprehensive evaluation of health care reform as it stands and where it may go in the months and years to come.”

He said the event is free, and there will be free food as well. He also stressed that the event will

News

Page 4

on campus

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Music students beat the heat lated back through the chiller.

Regardless of the conditions, Printz Writer Standland said it’s business as usual for everyone in the PAC. Musicians in the Mannoni Per“We don’t dress as professionalforming Arts Center and Marsh ly as we normally would with the Fine Arts Building are learning air working,” he said. “We haven’t a new meaning for the phrase been wearing ties but still dress as “warm-up.” professional as possible while still For two weeks now, the air con- staying comfortable, since we do ditioners in that building have been have to be here.” out of order, and a permanent soluRehearsals have taken place tion won’t be in place for 60 to 90 as normal in the basement of days, according to James Standland, the PAC. “However, just to the assistant dibe safe, the rector of bands. wind ensem“That’s a long ble is movIt’s like a freaking ing rehearsal time without air,” he said. sauna. I think I burn more to Bennett Even though a calories practicing lately [ A u d i t o r i permanent soum] starting lution is forth- than I do in the gym.

T h u r s d a y ,” coming, Standsaid Zach land said that Hassell, a Brandon Ashmore administrators graduate stuare working quickly to put a tem- dent studying music education. porary one in place.

Lawrence Gwozdz, professor of Standland said, “They’re saying saxophone for the School of Music, it should be done by the end of the took his students’ lessons outside in day today or possibly tomorrow. It’s an attempt to beat the heat. a temporary chiller to replace the Gwozdz said holding lessons one that broke.” outside wasn’t the best way to do The chiller in an air condi- them because it is distracting. “It’s tioning unit works by removing not private,” he said. “Every time the heat from a liquid, usually someone we know walks by, we’re water, and circulating that liquid tempted to say something to them through coils over which warm or blow in their ear.” air is blown and cooled. The liquid He plans to have his lessons outabsorbs that heat and is then circu- side until the problem is fixed, be-

Jonathan Andrews

“

”

Eli Baylis/Printz

Lawernce Gwozdz teaches his student, Koty Cox, a sophmore music education major, outside due to the hot tempetures inside the building due to a broken air-conditioning unit on Wednesday.

cause he did not want to subject his students to the heat.

Gwozdz said, “I practiced for about 45 minutes upstairs this morning, and my shirt was all wet.”

The heat on the third floor, where Gwozdz and other professors offices are, is particularly problematic, according to Brandon Ashmore, a senior music performance major.

“It’s like a freaking sauna,” Ashmore said. “I think I burn more calories practicing lately than I do in the gym.”

Standland speculated that the heat on the third floor is due to the fact that the sun shines directly onto the roof above.

He said, “With the doors open on the main floor, the breeze is blow-

ing through there and it’s a little more comfortable. We try to get a break from it by going down there or outside.” Standland said the handling of the situation by the administration in the School of Music and COAL is commendable.

“They recognize that there is a problem and they are being very aggressive in trying to fix it,” he said.

on campus

Career Fair helps students find their future Marie John Printz Writer For students interested in fulltime positions, part-time jobs and internships, Career Services hosted a Career Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 23 from noon – 4 p.m. in the Thad Cochran Center.

Boasting over 50 companies and graduate schools in attendance, students were exposed to industry professionals from a wide variety of disciplines. Some of the companies in attendance included Howard In-

dustries, Inc., Regions Bank and the U.S. Department of State.

“I took some copies of my resume and met with a good number of people that I hope to hear back from,” said senior tourism management major Jazmine Doswell. “Hopefully it will help me after I graduate with my long-term career goals.”

Students in attendance were encouraged to dress professionally with resume in hand as the fair also serves as an on-the-spot interview for possible future employers.

While many students were

pleased with this year’s fair, some suggested more businesses and more advertising.

“Most companies present had nothing to do with my major, but I still met with them and tried to network,” said senior fashion merchandising major Kyndel Edens.

Senior pharmaceutical sales and marketing major Ericka Upton commented on the number of companies available in her perspective field.

“I wish more companies would have been present, but I got my name

out to the ones who were here.”

With the uncertain economy looming in the back of many students’ minds, the career fair was a reminder for the difficult search for employment.

“It’s just leading us to believe there are legitimate opportunities to land credible jobs … they rarely exit,” said junior journalism major Leighanne Lockhart.

For most students, the annual career fair serves as a vital networking tool. Typically held in early spring, the event gives students an opportu-

nity to better their communication and professional skills. With just under three months until graduation, soon-to-be graduates are finding themselves having to prepare to enter the workforce.

“This is a very effective tool to help with people specifically going to graduate schools because you can perfect your interview skills and learn to present yourself better when being considered for different programs,” said senior business major Lindsay Ward.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Arts & Entertainment

review

Page 5

Native Americans celebrate heritage Michelle Holowach Printz Writer Tonight I had the honor and the privilege of attending the unique presentation of Celebrate: Song, Dance, and Story put on by the organization ECHO, which stands for Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations. The performance opened with one of the Native American performers, a woman, coming onto the stage and kneeling down in the center. She slowly began to clap her hands and then suddenly started singing, and as an invisible chorus of men’s voices joined her goose bumps began to climb up my arms. Soon four Native American men came onto the stage, each from a different tribe and wearing his own unique regalia, and they joined in the song.

The rest of the evening unfolded as the performers told stories that explained certain tribal legends, sang songs in their unique languages, and taught the audience members how to dance.

Halfway through the show they even recruited some of those sitting in the audience to go up on stage and perform in a dance which, afterwards, was revealed to be a wedding dance. Throughout the show each member of the cast would also bring out varying types of musical instruments to accompany their singing and dancing, and the auditorium was filled with the drumming of instruments and ringing of voices.

At the end of the performance the five cast members took their seats on the stage to answer questions and

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Southern Miss students take part in a MIssissippi Choctaw marriage dance on the stage of Bennett auditorium. Native Americans from five different regions and tribes of North America with the organization ECHO dance and perform stories from their native tribes in Bennett on Tuesday.

explain more of their lives to us. All of them have been emerged in the history of their ancient cultures their whole lives, and they explained to us the importance of remembering who you are, where you came from, and not to be ashamed to show

through our actions today what our past was like.

The performers made the show fun and lively, and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about their cultures and to be reminded not to forget about mine.

Forum presented by Perspectives on Health Care Reform: Which Way Forward?

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Thursday, February 24, 2011 Thad Cochran Center Ballroom Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

Speakers will share non-partisan views of the current state of health care reform, the impact that reform has at both the local and national levels, and a glimpse into the future of reform.

Panel: Dr. Joe H. Campbell Jr., Hattiesburg Clinic Dr. Thomas Dobbs, State Medical Officer Ricki Garrett, Mississippi Nurses Association Roy Mitchell, Mississippi Health Advocacy Program Ed Tucker, The University of Southern Mississippi

AA/EOE/ADAI

Opinion

Page 6

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Thursday, February 24, 2011

BSU member defends comment

Student Shout-outs

Sarah White is a sophomore elementary education major from Gautier.

“I’m sick and tired of the BSU looking down on the rest of campus because of our different beliefs.

When will they realize that Jesus loves everyone, not just Christians?”

This broke my heart in so many ways, and I really felt like this was not just something to shrug off or take lightly.

I cannot speak specifically for each and every Christian on this campus, but I can speak for myself and what I’m about. My heart’s desire is for the name of Jesus Christ to be made famous on this campus, in this country, and across the globe. I believe He suffered and died for all mankind, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I believe that I am just as sinful as anyone else, no exceptions. I am not perfect, nor do I

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“

ever claim to be. The only thing that sets me apart from someone who does not know Jesus is that I have heard about the things that my God has done for me and have placed my trust in Jesus Christ, in His death and resurrection. Because of this, I am set free from the things of this world that I have done, no matter what they are. While it is easy to play the “church game” and to pose as if I have never had any problems with any kind of sin (and trust me, I

have done this on several occasions in my life), nothing could be further from the truth. To put it lightly, I screwed up big time in high school and took a lot of wrong turns, and probably would have continued to do so for the rest of my life. But Jesus, through those who love and serve Him, convicted me of this. He reached out to me and saved me from the terrible trap of guilt and shame I was caught in and now, all I know is His beautiful mercy and grace.

I want the rest of the world to experience this same redeeming love, too, because I now know that nothing in this world will heal brokenness in our lives like Jesus. He is mighty and powerful to save and I am humbled and honored that He would choose me to do His work in this moment, this very hour.

Despite this passion for God’s glory to be made known on this campus, it is plain to see that I and my fellow believers are not express-

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ing this very well. I am thankful to whomever wrote in to the Printz regarding this issue. While it is essential for believers to meet together often to encourage each other in the faith, it is perhaps even more imperative that we are conducting ourselves in a way that would bring glory to God, and in such a way that the whole world would stop and notice and desire to join us, rather than running away from us and ultimately from Christ. It is absolutely mandatory that we follow Jesus’s example and reach out to “the untouchables” of our community. Jesus did not hang around with the most pious, religious members of His society. He went to the lepers, the sick, the orphaned, the “outcasts”...we should do the same. We have to do the same.

I am only one member of the BSU and cannot speak for the organization as a whole, but I can assure you, whoever you are, that you have given me personally a lot to think about. I hope this will do the same for you.

“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and renown are the desire of our souls.” – Isaiah 26:8

It’s really dumb that we have these really nice intramural fields, and we can’t even play a pick-up game of soccer because we can’t turn the lights on.

To the geeds: sorry you’re jealous of norts. I’ll keep wearing them, and not working out. Enjoy your jeans!

Seriously, Printz? You’re covering the “planet” Tyche and you ask a music performance major what he thought? Seriously?

Dear Desk Assistant, You know your job is the easiest job in the world, and you make decent money. I suggest a smile instead of showing obvious hate for everyone in the building.

To the ignorant Nike shorts hater: STOP HATIN’. You obviously are not from the South. If you were, you would realize it is too hot and humid to throw on jeans. You must be jealous that you cannot wear shorts.

”

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Feature

Page 7

on campus

Religious group grows at USM

Earvin Hopkins Printz Writer A nondenominational religious group called The Point hosts meetings once a week every Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Union Room 2B. According to their website, this organization is formed by a group of students from various stages in ever changing lives that have formed them to grow closer with the Lord. Their mission is to share experience and faith with their fellow students.

The Point was first founded as Crosspoint Community Church’s college group.

President of The Point, Blake Beal, talks about what happened next.

“As God continued to work through our group, we went from 10 students to 50 and then 60 students,” Beal said. “In the spring of 2010, our leadership team had the idea of becoming a student organization on campus.”

About 85 percent of their group consisted of Southern Miss students, so they decided to meet on campus to reach out to more students.

Beal went on, “We went through the whole process to become a student organization and in the fall of 2010 we were able to start meeting on campus. God has continued to do a lot of work through our group and we continue to meet every Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. with about 60 to 70 students.”

Vice President of The Point Luke Sippel talks about the impact the Lord has on the organization.

“We’re just average college students out to enjoy fellowships,” Sippel said. “We meet to get closer to God and his communion, and we want to tell people how Christ saved our lives.”

Member of The Point and political science major Tandra Patterson tells how she joined the organization.

“My freshman year I received a letter in the mail inviting me to go

to this church, and I went and I was shocked to see how awesome the people there were,” Patterson said.

“Blake asked me did I know The Point, I said no, and he said well let me tell you about The Point.”

Patterson said that Beal made her feel warm and welcomed to join the organization. Patterson also says that everyone is welcome to any events, and that all students that come never want to leave.

An upcoming event that The Point is hosting is relationship workshop. It will be held at the Crosspoint Community Church on April 15 and 16 at 7 p.m.

The event focuses on teaching couples how to have a relationship with God. Food will also be provided and everyone is invited to come.

Beal said, “If anyone wants to come check us out on Wednesday nights, they should be ready to be loved on and be encouraged to live a fulfilling life with Christ.”

Jordan Moore/Printz

Freshman right hand pitcher Boomer Scarborbough fires a pitch toward home at the baseball game against Alcorn State on Wednesday, Feb. 23. Southern Miss defeated Alcorn State 11-5.

Sports

Page 8

Thursday, February 24, 2011

BASKETBALL

USM looks to NCAA Tournament Travis Thornell Sports Editor

With Tuesday night’s 78-67 victory over Loyola (N.O.), the Southern Miss Golden Eagles can now shift all of their focus to what boils down to be NCAA Tournament at-large hopefuls’ elimination games with the final three games of the season. The Golden Eagles (21-6, 9-4 C-USA) have to travel to Central Florida (179, 4-9) Saturday, host UAB (19-7, 9-4) next Wednesday, and then finish the season with a trip to play Tulsa (15-11,8-4) on March 5. While there is no guarantee that winning out will put USM in the ‘Big Dance,’ a loss throws them out of contention for an at-large bid.

Saturday’s matchup against UCF and a few other games could give a clearer picture of potential at-large bids from Conference USA and seeding for the conference tournament. Southern Miss has been stuck in a five to six team log jam at the top of the conference all season long. One bad game could cause the Golden Eagles to drop from first place all the way to seventh.

There is no doubt that UCF will be gunning for Southern Miss Saturday. The Golden Eagles upset the then No. 22 ranked Golden Knights 86-69, Jan. 15, in Hattiesburg. Since that game, UCF has been reeling with a 3-7 record since their meeting with Southern Miss. Central Florida has looked to regained some of their early momentum by defeating UTEP

Jordan Moore/Printz

(Left) Senior forward Josimar Ayarza dunks the ball during the basketball game against Loyola on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Ayarza had nine points and one assist. (Right) The Golden Eagles defeated Loyola 78-67.

on Monday, 74-68.

Junior guard Angelo Johnson expects the Golden Knights to bring the best effort in Orlando Saturday. “They are going to play hard and they are going to look to beat us. They will want the pay back,” said Johnson, who is aver-

aging 8.1 points a game and 4.0 assists a game.

Another huge game on the docket for Saturday will by UTEP versus Memphis. While both teams cannot afford a loss, Memphis sits the prettiest in the conference overall since the Tigers have the season sweeps over Southern Miss and UAB. Next Wednesday, the Golden Eagles will play their last home game against UAB at 6 p.m.

Southern Miss has already taken down the Blazers with a 75-71 victory on Feb. 2 in Birmingham.

The Blazers are currently 3rd in the conference and have a 7-3 record in their last 10 games. UAB are lead by quick footed guard Aaron Johnson, who leads the conference in assists with 7.5 a game and also contributes 11.6 points an outing.

On March 5, Southern Miss will wrap up the regular season in Oklahoma against the Tulsa

Women’s Basketball vs. Central Florida Day: Sunday, February 27 Location: Reed Green Coliseum Time: 2:00 p.m.

Overall record: 16-10, C-USA 9-4

UCF’s last 5 games: 2/6 at Tulsa 2/10 vs. UTEP 2/08 at Marshall 2/17 vs. Tulane 2/20 vs. ECU

W, 61-48 W, 68-65 W, 71-59 W, 73-69 (OT) W, 69-52

Southern Miss Box Score

M. Basketball: 2/22 vs Loyola 67 W. Basketball 2/20 vs Rice Baseball: 2/22 vs. ULM 2/23 vs. Alcorn State Softball: 2/18 at Auburn 2/19 vs. Western Carolina 2/20 vs. McNeese St.

W, 78L, 79-52 W, 8-5 W, 11-5 L, 3-0 W,4-2 W, 4-3

Golden Hurricane. This match-up will be all about the scoring with the conference’s premier scorers on the same court with USM’s Gary Flowers and Tulsa’s Justin Hurtt. Tulsa who is currently fifth in the conference is not in the discussion for an at-large bid but will be fighting for one of the top four seeds in the conference tournament to get a first round bye.

The familiarity between Southern Miss and its opponents of UCF and UAB do not have the Golden Eagles over confident or worried.

Senior forward Gary Flowers commented on the brutal three game stretch to end the season.

“We are confident, but we can’t be over confident. Gotta take everything one play at a time and respect each team. (UCF and UAB) are great teams and completely capable of beating us.”

Coach Larry Eustachy talked about what he expects against

UCF and UAB. “I think they are totally different teams, but I think we are a better team right now, too. We cannot have a letdown against them even though we have beaten them. That’s always tough.

We start with Central Florida and we will be the underdog in spite of the records,” Eustachy said.

If the Golden Eagles can survive the huge three games stretch to close the season, they should be sitting pretty for an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament and for the seeding in the Conference USA tournament. A cough up in one of the remaining three games cannot ruin the fantastic season

by Southern Miss since they have proven they can hang with anyone on any court. Regardless of the outcomes to finish the season, the Golden Eagles can still make the NCAA tournament by winning the conference tournament in El Paso, Texas.

Southern Miss Sports: Upcoming Games Thursday, February 24 at 8:00 p.m.

Women’s Basketball at UTEP El Paso, Texas

Friday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m.

Baseball at Troy Troy, Alabama

Friday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m.

Women’s Tennis vs. Louisiana-Monroe Hattiesburg, Miss.

Saturday, February 26 at 2:00 p.m.

Softball vs. Nicholls State Hattiesburg, Miss.

Friday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m.

Softball vs. Mississippi Valley Hattiesburg, Miss.

Saturday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m.

Men’s Basketball at UCF Orlando, Florida