The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
6-3
Seattle University
3-6
Blazers Ride Hot Shooting to Down Seattle
12/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
December 13, 2015
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By Steve Irvine, UABSports.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - With Chris Cokley tying his career high with 25 points, UAB didn't have to live or die with the 3-point shot Sunday night against Seattle. But Robert Brown's 3-point shooting sure had a lot to do with the Blazers ability to pull out a 79-73 victory over the stubborn Redhawks before a Bartow Arena crowd of 3,587.
Brown scored all 18 of his points on 3-pointers, hitting 6-of-11 from outside the arc. Five of his 3-pointers came on eight second half attempts. And it came on a night when Seattle looked like it might use the 3-point shot to come back for an unlikely victory.
Brown, who was the team's leading 3-point shooter last season, has struggled outside the arc early this season. He was 7-of-31 on 3-pointers in the first eight games and hadn't hit more than two in a game. On Sunday night, though, he was on the money to lead UAB to its 13th consecutive Bartow Arena win.
"It was huge," UAB head coach Jerod Haase said of Brown's shooting efforts on a night when the Blazers made 10-of-25 3-pointers. "It's not just hitting the 3s, they were all timely 3s. They seemed to be when we needed a boost. He shot the basketball with confidence. It shows that he has confidence in himself, but the team (and) coaches have a lot of confidence in him as well."
Having Cokley take over down low, against a big Seattle team that included 7-foot-3 Aaron Menzies and 6-foot-11 Jack Crook, also helped open things up outside. The 6-foot-8 sophomore fought through foul trouble to hit 10-of-14 shots from the field and 5-of-7 free throws. He tied the career high he set in the season opener against Auburn and also added five rebounds, an assist and a steal.
"When you shoot as high a percentage as he does, you've got to get him the ball as much as possible," said Brown, who had three assists.
For a while it looked like the Blazers (6-3) might coast to a comfortable win behind Cokley. He scored 12 first half points to lead UAB to a 37-24 lead at halftime. Seattle scored the first seven points of the second half but, in a sign of things to come, Brown countered with back-to-back 3-pointers from the right corner to build the lead back to 12 points.
The lead stayed above double digits for most of the next 11 minutes before Seattle started connecting from the outside. The Redhawks hit five 3-pointers in a five minute span, with three coming from reserve Manroop Clair, to cut the deficit to 67-63 with 2:07 remaining.
UAB built the lead back to six points when Tosin Mehinti fought for the offensive rebound after a missed free throw and scored on the putback. Seattle countered with five consecutive points, including a 3-pointer by Clair, to trim the deficit to 72-71 with 1:01 left.
The Blazers calmly worked the ball inside to William Lee, who passed up an open jumper in the lane to get the ball to Cokley for a layup. Cokley scored while being fouled and hit the free throw to give UAB a 75-71 lead with 41.4 seconds remaining.
"I think we have skilled big men who are very good passers," said Haase, whose team had a season-best 22 assists on 30 made baskets. "The unselfishness with Ha Ha (Lee) passing the basketball to Chris in that situation is very good. The things we talk about are getting inside touches and working through the high post."
It was the conclusion of a solid night by Lee, who had 11 points, six rebounds, five blocked shots, two steals and an assist.
Denzell Watts also reached double-digit scoring for the Blazers, scoring 11 points. He hit a career-high three 3-pointers and also dished out five assists.
The Conference USA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are set to return to Birmingham for the second consecutive year, marking the third time the Blazers will host the event. The men's tournament, as well as the women's semifinals and championship, will be played at Legacy Arena in downtown Birmingham, while the women's first round and quarterfinal action will take place at UAB's Bartow Arena.
UAB ticket mini plans are now on sale and in high demand. The Holiday 3-Pointer includes games against Hiwassee College (Dec. 22), 2015 NCAA Tournament participant Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 29) and the Blazer's Conference USA home opener against Middle Tennessee (Jan 3). Lower level seats can be purchased for $36 ($60 value), or $24 in the upper level ($45 value). The Conference USA Season Pass is available for $119 in the lower level, (a savings of over $60) and only $79 in the upper level, ($56 off the regular price).
For more information on UAB men's basketball, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MBB), on Instagram (@blazerhoops) or on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABMensBasketball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
