The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Rice
UAB Tops Rice at Home, 83-74
2/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 14, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Lawrence Kinnard scored 21 points and Wen Mukubu added 20 to lead UAB to an 83-74 victory over Rice Wednesday night.
Paul Delaney III scored 15 points and Mukubu added 10 rebounds, eight assists and three steals for UAB (13-12, 5-6 CUSA).
"We are getting better," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "We still have a long way to go, but for the first time this season, I have a good feeling about this team. Wen Mukubu has been the key for us right now. The last three games he has had double figure rebounds and was two assists away from a triple-double tonight. We have got to keep everyone playing on the same page and keep playing well."
Morris Almond scored 28 points to lead Rice (13-11, 7-4 CUSA) Cory Pflieger scored 17 points, and Lorenzo Williams had 10 points and seven assists for the Owls.
"Almond is the best player in this league along with (Memphis') Jeremy Hunt," Davis said. "I thought we did a good job of switching guys on him and gave a team defensive effort to stop him. He still got 28 points but he is a very, very good player. I am just glad he is a senior."
UAB led 38-35 at halftime, but Rice got off to a quick start in the second half. Almond hit a jump shot in the lane and Pflieger hit two 3-pointers to help Rice take a 51-44 lead.
UAB used strong inside play to come back. Freshman reserve center Jeremy Mayfield scored three straight baskets inside to spark a 13-2 Blazer run. Two inside baskets by Frank Holmes and a 3-point play by Mukubu gave UAB a 57-53 lead.
The Blazers went on to lead by as many as 13 points. Rice pulled to within 75-66 with two minutes left on a 3-pointer by Williams. But the Owls could get no closer as Delaney, Mukubu and Kinnard combined to hit seven free throws down the stretch.
The Blazers will look to keep the momentum going as they embark on a two-game road trip beginning at Houston on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m. CT. The game will be televised nationally on CSTV.
