UAB Holds Off North Alabama, 73-67

Tuesday, December 4

Bartow Arena

7 p.m.

UAB

6-2

North Alabama

2-7

North Alabama

UAB

UAB Holds Off North Alabama, 73-67

12/4/2018 10:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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BIRMINGHAM – UAB never really pulled away from North Alabama in Tuesday night's game, but with the help of four players in double figures for the second-straight contest, the Blazers were able to fend off a pesky Lions team for a 73-67 victory in Bartow Arena.

UAB, which improved to 6-2 on the season with the victory, continued along with its season storyline by dominating the glass and running a balanced offense. The Blazers outrebounded the Lions, 39-28, improving to 6-1 on the year when outrebounding their opponent, while seeing four players score at least 10 points for the fourth time this year.

"There were plenty of positives that we can take away from this game," head coach Robert Ehsan said. "I was pleased with our efforts on the glass today and with the balance that we saw from the offense. Defensively, forcing 14 turnovers and turning them into 18 points was another big factor for our team. Now it is time for us to get ready for a big challenge at Memphis this coming Saturday."

Jalen Perry matched a career high with 17 points in the victory and hauled in six rebounds, while Lewis Sullivan notched his second career double-double with 16 points and a career-tying 11 boards. The duo of seniors went a combined 14-for-29 from the field.

Sophomore Tyreek Scott-Grayson netted 13 points, his second game in double figures this year, ahead of a career-best 11-point performance from Will Butler which included eight rebounds and a block. Newcomer Tavin Lovan added in solid minutes and contributed eight points, while Makhtar Gueye added six points and eight rebounds of his own.

UAB got it done in the paint, outscoring North Alabama, 42-26, down low. Defensively, the Blazers forced 14 turnovers and outscored the Lions, 18-1, as a result.

North Alabama (2-7) was led by Kendarius Smith, who finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kendall Stafford (18) and Jamari Blackmon (17) also scored in double figures for the Lions.

UNA dominated the game in the first six minutes, taking a 16-7 lead on the back of a 63 percent shooting performance early. UAB countered with an 8-0 run over the next three minutes that pulled the Blazers within one score, 16-15, at the 10:22.

The Blazers took control of the game with 7:48 to play in the half when a layup by Sullivan put UAB ahead, 21-19, during what ended up being a 21-7 run throughout the middle of the opening stanza. That lead was not relinquished by UAB, which fought off UNA's press to take a 35-31 lead into the break.

UAB was dominant to start the second half, opening a 46-35 advantage before the first media timeout. The Blazers looked to be in total control of the game until the final minutes of the game when Blackmon saw his layup fall through contact and made the ensuing free throw to cut the lead to 64-61 with 3:26 on the clock.

Needing clutch shots to seal the game, the Blazers looked to their seniors to come up big and they did just that when a Sullivan jumper and a Perry triple pushed the lead out to 72-64 in the span of 1:18. That deficit was too much for the Lions to overcome as UAB held on for a 73-67 victory.

The Blazers renew one of its most historic rivalries on Saturday when it makes the trip up Corridor X to face Memphis. Tip from FedEx Forum is set for noon on ESPN3.

Individual season tickets for the 2018-19 UAB men's basketball campaign are on sale and start as low as $105 in Blaze's Corner. New this season is the Family Four Pack which includes four season tickets for a total cost of $400 along with the Flex Pack for $125. Mini plans are also now available here. For more information, call the UAB Athletics ticket office at 205-975-UAB1.

For more information on the UAB men's basketball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_MBB).