The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Southeast Missouri State
Blazers Open Season with Win Over SE Missouri, 78-56
11/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2010
Final Stats |
Photo Gallery 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Cameron Moore scored a career-high 20 points and three others scored in double-figures as UAB defeated Southeast Missouri State 78-56 on Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Blazers have now captured wins in four consecutive season-opening contests.
"We had a good week of practice, and our guys came out focused," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "We rebounded well and shared the ball well. We're a young team with not much experience at this level of basketball. We have to try to get better every single day, and I thought we did that at times tonight."
The Blazers recorded 19 assists on their 27 baskets on the evening. UAB forced SEMO into 18 turnovers which led to a 13-1 advantage on points of turnovers.
Moore enjoyed a hot-shooting night, making 9-of-13 field-goal attempts. He also recorded a team-high seven rebounds in his 30 minutes of action.
Ovie Soko scored 16 points and matched Moore pulling down seven boards, while also recording a pair of assists. Aaron Johnson had 11 points and six assists, while Dexter Fields had 10 for UAB, which won its 32nd straight non-conference regular season game at home. Fifth-year coach Mike Davis is 26-0 in non-conference, regular-season home games at UAB.
The Blazers bolted to a 40-21 halftime lead and never let Southeast Missouri get close in the second half.
True freshmen Preston Purifoy and Quincy Taylor also played well in the UAB debut. Taylor contributed five points and six assists without a turnover, while Purifoy also added five points in 12 minutes of action.
"For Quincy, six assists and no turnovers is really good for a freshman," Davis said."Last year what we really needed was a guy to give (Aaron Johnson) a rest. A.J. played 33 minutes tonight, and he probably would have played 38 in this game last year. Quincy has benefitted from going against A.J. in practice every day. He has another gear that he doesn't always go to, but he can do some things offensively."
The Blazers also won the battle in the paint by a 34-20 margin.
Nick Niemczyk scored 19 points and Leon Powell added 11 points and 11 rebounds for Southeast Missouri.
"We played a very tough basketball team tonight," SEMO head coach Dickey Nutt said. "I give UAB a lot of credit. Mike Davis is a super coach, and his record and experience shows. They are a very good team."
UAB will next play its first road contest of the season when it travels to take on Middle Tennessee on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
"It's an exciting game and another chance for us to get better," Davis said. "We can't be the same team Wednesday night that we were tonight; we have to keep improving. We need to focus in practice on getting better at the little things, and then we can go in there and play well and have a chance to win."
