USCA BASKETBALL TO HOST MIDNIGHT MADNESS
PACERS AND LADY PACERS TO KICK OFF SEASON IN NEW ARENA

AIKEN, S.C.-The USC Aiken men’s and women’s basketball teams will be holding their annual Midnight Madness on Sunday, October 14 at the brand-new 3,468-seat Convocation Center.

The event will start at 10:30 PM with various student-led activities before the basketball teams will be introduced to the crowd just after midnight. Midnight Madness marks the first chance for Pacer and Lady Pacer fans to catch a glimpse of the teams as the 2007-08 season officially opens.

The evening will begin with food for all in attendance while the USC Aiken Athletic Band performs. A karaoke contest begins at 11:00 PM followed by performances from the cheerleaders and dance team. There will also be various games and giveaways leading up to midnight.

The highlight of the night comes at midnight with the introduction of both the men and women’s basketball teams and the coaching staffs. A three-point contest will then pit the Pacers against members of the faculty, followed by members of the men’s basketball team participating in a slam-dunk contest. The night concludes with the Greek Step Show at approximately 12:45 AM.

The Pacers return four starters from last year’s squad that finished 9-22 and 3-13 in Peach Belt Conference play. Head coach Vince Alexander, entering his third season at the program’s helm, welcomes six newcomers, including four Division I transfers, to this year’s team. Sophomore Casey McMasters (10.6 ppg) and junior Kingsley Oguchi (10.0 ppg) are the team’s leading scorers returning from last season.

The Lady Pacers return six of their top seven leading scorers from the 2006-07 team that went 20-9 and 11-5 in conference play to win the PBC North Division. Junior Meredith Legg (11.3 ppg) shot 47.5% from three-point range and was the team’s leading scorer last season. Seniors Avonte Williams (9.0 ppg) and Jordon Thomas (8.5 ppg) also return for sixth-year head coach Mike Brandt.

Doors open at 10:00 PM and admission is free to everyone.