PIKEVILLE, KY. - Prior to hosting CBA American Conference rival Pittsburgh on Monday, East Kentucky made a pair of moves. The Miners signed guard Mike Dean, a 6-3 backcourt performer from Middle Tennessee State, and in another move, East Kentucky placed guard Mike Crain on the injured reserve list due to an elbow injury.

Earlier in the year, Dean played in 16 games for the Rio Grande Valley Silverados. The Miners and Silverados are two of four CBA expansion franchises. Dean made 11 starts for the Texas team and still ranks as one of the CBA's leading scorers.

“Dean is a proven mid-range shooter with the ability to get to the free throw line on a regular basis,” said East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley. “Right now, we have great team chemistry. We’re looking to make Dean an addition to our already strong basketball team.”

Dean made his debut for Miners on Monday night in a home game versus Pittsburgh at the East Kentucky Expo Center. Dean scored 16 points, pulled down four rebounds, dished off two assists and recorded a steal in 25 minutes for the Miners. He helped East Kentucky to a 119-110 win over the Xplosion. East Kentucky improved to 14-13 after posting the win. Dean is averaging 24.5 points per game in the 2007-08 CBA season.

A product of Valdosta State University, Crain is averaging 11.2 points per game and has made 23-of-51 three-point field goal attempts. He has played in 26 games for the Miners, making 22 starts. Crain is expected to make a speedy recovery and quick return to the East Kentucky roster.