The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
West Alabama
Blazer Men's Basketball Downs West Alabama, 81-64
11/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Senior guard Jamarr Sanders scored 25 points as the UAB men's basketball team opened its 2010-11 campaign with an 81-64 exhibition victory over West Alabama Friday night at Bartow Arena.
Sanders was one of three Blazers to reach double digits against the Tigers. Junior forward Cameron Moore went 8-for-11 to tally 19 points, while sophomore forward Ovie Soko recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
"Even though I didn't think Cam and Ovie played their best, they had great stats," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "So that tells you the kind of ability that they have as basketball players. Their defense and their concentration has to catch up with their ability. If they can do that, we can be okay. It's there, we just have to keep working."
The Blazers pulled away from the Tigers in the first half, going on a 12-0 run that started with a pair of free throws by redshirt freshman Robert Williams. Williams and Sanders then hit back-to-back three pointers, the first of three treys for Sanders on his way to 17 first half points.
Midway through the first half West Alabama cut UAB's lead to six points before the Blazers went off on a 12-2 run on their way to a 44-31 lead at the half.
UAB continued to extend its lead in the second half, opening its advantage to as much as 21 points,78-57, with just over five minutes left in the game.
"I thought Jamarr got off to a terrific start, but he got tired," Davis said. "I talked to him about playing through it and still being aggressive. He had 25 points early in the second half, and he didn't score again. We're going to depend on him scoring points for us this year because offensively he's pretty good."
Jonathan Griffin led West Alabama's scoring, going 8-for-9 to finish with 17 points. Marino Thompson notched 10 points, while Ryan Fitch led the team with six rebounds.
UAB committed just nine turnovers compared to West Alabama's 16, and the Blazers took advantage by scoring 23 points off Tiger miscues.
Senior point guard Aaron Johnson led the team with nine assists, to go along with three steals and six points.
The Blazers return to action Saturday, Nov. 13 when they play host to Southeast Missouri State at Bartow Arena. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT.
