The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
East Carolina
East Carolina Knocks Off UAB, 73-66
1/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- UAB made a 17-point second-half deficit evaporate to a one-possession game with 28 seconds left, but the East Carolina Pirates went a perfect six of six from the foul line to escape Bartow Arena with a 73-66 victory on Saturday night.
UAB (7-13, 2-5 C-USA) shot 50 percent (27-for-54) from the field, but it was the Pirates that fired at a blistering 59.5 clip for the game. ECU (10-10, 1-6) was on target even more so in the first half, draining 14 of 22 shots (63.6 percent) from the floor.
The Blazers, which trailed 36-26 at the half, fell behind as much 17 after intermission when Darrius Morrow sank a jumper with 9:30 left. UAB was able to buckle down on defense and utilized a 25-11 run to pull within a possession, 67-64, with 28 seconds left, but could get no closer.
"We had no effort tonight," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "We had a great win on the road on Wednesday against one of the top teams in the conference. Then we have one of our worst practices of the year (Friday) and come out flat today. We have to get our leaders to step up and lead this team."
A balanced attack for UAB, featured four players in double figures, led by Preston Purifoy's 17 points. Purifoy, who was one point off his career-high, knocked down a personal-best five 3-pointers on nine attempts, and scored 14 of his points during the second-half surge.
Cameron Moore posted his seventh double-double of the year, making 6 of 10 shots for 14 points to go along with a game-high 13 boards.
At the point guard position, Quincy Taylor put forth one his strongest efforts of the season, scoring 10 points, tying a career-high with seven assists and did not commit a turnover. Jekore Tyler added 11 points to round out the quartet of double-figure scorers for the Blazers.
ECU was paced by Morrow's game-high 24 points making 11 of 15 shots, adding six rebounds and three assists to his stat line.
Guard Miguel Paul poured in 14 points, headlined by a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe, six of which came in the final 1:24 of the game. He added seven assists and sank a pair of treys in the victory.
Despite the strong shooting from both clubs, it was the foul line that proved to be the difference. ECU went to the line 21 times, knocking down 16 tries (76.2 percent), but UAB was only able to attempt three for the game.
UAB is back on the court on Wednesday, Feb. 1, with an 8 p.m. CT tip against the Houston Cougars. The game will be televised courtesy of CSS.
