The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
TCU
Blazers Knock Off TCU, 87-62, In Home Finale
3/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 6, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Gabe Kennedy scored 18 points and Demario Eddins added 15 to lead UAB to an 87-62 victory over TCU Saturday. With the win, the Blazers (19-8, 12-2 C-USA) secured a first-round bye in the upcoming Conference USA Tournament.
"Our guys came out and played great," UAB head coach Mike Anderson said. "It was a ver special day and I'm glad we were able to give our seniors a good last home game. I thought Demario came out and played with more energy than I have seen from him all season. Our bench also played tremendously and I thought they were the difference in the game."
Ronell Taylor came off the bench to finish with 10 points for UAB (19-8, 12-4 CUSA). Combined, the Blazer bench outscored TCU's bench, 50-19.
Corey Santee led TCU (11-16, 7-9) with 17 points.
The game was tied at nine apeice when Sidney Ball hit a 3-pointer to spark a 10-0 UAB run. The Blazers were in control the rest of the way.
Eddins scored three straight baskets late in the first half as UAB blew the game open.
UAB led by as many as 22 points in the first half and took a 45-28 halftime lead at the break.
The Blazers outrebounded TCU 21-9 and forced 15 turnovers in the first half. Ten of those turnovers were on UAB's steals.
Kennedy and Eddins scored two baskets each to help UAB build a 26 point led early in the final half. TCU would get no closer than 19 points.
Reserve guard Derrick Broom hit three 3-pointers as UAB opened up a 32-point lead down the stretch.
UAB finished with a 38-31 advantage on the boards, with Kennedy and Eddins grabbing eight rebounds each.
UAB will open play this Thursday, March 11, in the quarterfinal round of the Conference USA Tournament, which will be played in Cincinnati, Ohio.
