The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
South Florida
Men's Basketball Team Defeats South Florida, 85-67
2/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb 12, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Lee Cobb came off the bench to score eight points in a decisive second-half stretch, as UAB defeated South Florida, 85-67, here Wednesday night. The win puts the Blazers in sole possession of second place in the National Division, half a game behind Memphis.
"I have to give credit to our guys," UAB head coach Mike Anderson said. "They came out at halftime and played with intensity and pressure defense. We had some players come into the game that gave us a big lift. This was a good win for our team."
Cobb, who had scored only five points all season, hit a jump shot and a 3-pointer to spark a 13-0 second-half run that helped UAB (13-7, 5-4 Conference USA) end a 2-game losing streak.
Yusuf Baker scored 13 points to lead South Florida (12-9, 5-5). Reggie Kohn and Brian Swift added 10 points each for the Bulls, who saw a three-game winning streak come to an end.
Cobb wasn't the only UAB reserve to make a big contribution. Cedric Davis scored 12 points, four coming in the Blazers' decisive run, and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
Starting guard Eric Bush was UAB's leading scorer with 15 points. Demario Eddins and Sidney Ball added 12 points apiece.
Morris Finley, UAB's leading scorer, was held to six points after scoring 28 against South Florida earlier this season.
UAB led 34-32 at halftime, but Bush scored four baskets early in the second half to extend the Blazers' lead to four, 52-48. Baker scored two baskets inside to help South Florida pull to within one,54-53, with 13:23 remaining. But Cobb and Davis sparked a 13-0 run that put UAB on top 67-53. The Blazers went on to lead by as many as 20 points in the second half.
UAB forced USF into 21 turnovers and collected 13 steals in the contest. The Blazers also outscored the Bulls inside the paint, 26-12.
UAB will next travel to Memphis, Tenn. to take on National-Division leader Memphis on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. The game can be heard live on 1070 WAPI-AM, with the pregame show beginning at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be televised on CSS.
