The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Savannah State
Blazers Victorious Over Tigers, 63-37
1/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Paul Delaney III scored 19 points and Robert Vaden added 17 to lead UAB to a 63-37 victory over Savannah State on Sunday. The 37 points the Blazers allowed was the lowest point total since allowing 37 to Charlotte on March 4, 2000.
"I thought we came out a little flat and struggled to find our groove in the first half," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "Paul really kept us going with a great first half. I thought we played a lot better defensively in the second half. In the end, it is a win and we'll take it."
Channing Toney had 10 points for UAB (9-5), which got off to a hot start and cruised to an easy win in the first game between the two schools.
Jovonni Shuler led Savannah State (7-7) with 11 points and was the only Tiger player to reach double figures. Tracy Rankins scored seven points while Chris Linton had five points and a team-high five rebounds.
Delaney and Toney had two baskets each, and Aaron Johnson had a pair of steals as UAB jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Savannah State was scoreless until Tracy Rankins hit a layup at the 13:43 mark.
Vaden followed with his first three-pointer, and UAB went on to build a 34-20 halftime lead.
The Blazers, who started the second half on a 10-2 run, eventually led by as many as 31 points, 59-28.
Toney grabbed nine rebounds and Aaron Johnson had six assists and four steals for the Blazers.
UAB will next have a week off before it opens the Conference USA season on Saturday, Jan. 10, when the Blazers travel to Houston to take on the Cougars. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. CT.
