The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Louisville
Men's Basketball Falls To Louisville in C-USA Opener
1/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Reese Gaines led all scorers with 25 points and four other Louisville players scored in double figures as the Cardinals defeated UAB 88-77 in both teams' Conference USA opener Saturday afternoon at Bartow Arena.
The win improved Louisville to 10-2 overall and 1-0 in C-USA play, while UAB dropped to 7-7 and 0-1.
The teams traded leads eight times and there were two ties in the first half. UAB's last lead of the half -- and the game - was 15-13 with 11:29 remaining in the period.
Louisville then went on a 10-0 run over a three and 1/2 minute stretch, taking a 23-15 lead with 8:08 to play. The rally was led by forward Erik Brown, who scored eight straight points during that stretch, including two three-point baskets.
UAB would get no closer than four points during the remainder of the half, and Louisville stretched its lead to 16 points at 43-27 with 59 seconds to play.
The Cardinals led 43-30 at the break.
After Louisville extended its lead to 17 again early in the second half, UAB battled back, cutting the margin to six at 59-53 with 11:41 remaining in the game. Three pointers by Eric Batchelor, Mo Finley, and P.J. Arnold highlighted a 13-4 Blazer run over a four-minute stretch.
Louisville responded with a 9-0 run of its own over the next minute and 1/2, as Gaines, Larry O'Bannon and Luke Whitehead each scored two points and Carlos Hurt hit a three-pointer.
UAB would get the margin under 10 points only once more in the game, cutting the Cardinal lead to 86-77 on a layup by point guard Eric Bush with 25 seconds to play.
Louisville's Gaines was joined in double figures by Hurt with 14 points, Whitehead and Brown with 13 each, and O'Bannon with 10. Ellis Myles led the Cardinals with 10 rebounds.
Finley led UAB with 23 points, followed by Arnold with 15, and Will Campbell and Bush with 13 each. Campbell had a "double-double" with a game-high 13 rebounds.
UAB returns to action Tuesday (Jan. 8), hosting East Carolina in a C-USA game at Bartow Arena (tipoff 7:30 pm CST).
Louisville hosts Marquette Wednesday at Freedom Hall (7:30 pm EST).
