The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Alabama A&M
Men's Basketball Overpowers Alabama A&M, 91-69
12/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Morris Finley scored 21 points and Jeffrey Collins added a career-high 18 as UAB defeated Alabama A&M 91-69 here Saturday night. The win marked the third straight for the Blazers.
"I thought that both teams came out at the beginning of the game and made some shots," UAB head coach Mike Anderson said. "Alabama A&M has some guys who can hit some shots. I thought early in the game that they found their shooters well. We came out in the second half and stepped up our play a little bit."
The game was delayed for 22 minutes in the second half when UAB center Cedric Davis finished a fast break with a dunk that shattered the backboard. It marked the first time in Bartow Arena and UAB history a Blazer broke the backboard in a game.
UAB (6-2) led 65-56 when the game was stopped with 11:25 to go. When play resumed, the Blazers went on a 14-4 run to build a 19-point lead over Alabama A&M (3-5).
Anthony Hayes scored 23 points to lead Alabama A&M. Jarvis Smith added 12 points and Ricky Ricketts and Obie Trotter had 10 points apiece for the Bulldogs.
Alabama A&M jumped to a 5-0 lead and kept the game close throughout the first half. UAB scored the last five points of the half to break a 38-38 tie and lead 43-38 at the half. The half featured three lead changes and seven ties.
Gabe Kennedy scored 16 points, all in the second half, and had 11 rebounds to mark UAB's first double-double of the season. Richard Jones had 11 points, all in the first half, and Demario Eddins added 10 for the Blazers.
The Blazers will next compete at the Sierra Providence SunClassic in El Paso, Texas on December 27-28. UAB opens tournament play on Friday, December 27, when it takes on Air Force. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. CT.
