Buffen's Monster Performance Lifts UAB to 70-56 Win Over ETSU

Wednesday, December 1

Bartow Arena

6:30 p.m.

UAB

-62,00 CUSA

ETSU

5-3,0-0SoCon

ETSU

UAB

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

Buffen's Monster Performance Lifts UAB to 70-56 Win Over ETSU

12/1/2021 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Press Conference

BIRMINGHAM – A massive performance from Blazer forward KJ Buffen helped fuel a second-half surge as the UAB men's basketball team defeated ETSU 70-56 on Wednesday night in Bartow Arena.

Buffen, a junior from Gainesville, Georgia, poured in a season-high 20 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds to help lead UAB to its sixth win of the season. The UAB forward's 16 rebounds was the most by a Blazer since William Lee pulled down 17 rebounds in a 94-78 win over Marshall on Jan. 14, 2017.

"KJ was obviously the MVP of the game," head coach Andy Kennedy. "He was terrific with eight big rebounds off the offensive glass.

"I thought we did a remarkable job after the opening 12 minutes of really locking in defensively."

Facing a 26-13 deficit with less than eight minutes remaining in the first half, UAB scored 18 of the final 24 points in the first half to trim its deficit to a single point. Buffen kickstarted the 18-6 run to close the half with a dunk before knocking down a jumper to make a 32-31 ballgame at the break.

UAB (6-2) continued its positive momentum from the final 7:44 of the first half into the start of the second half, scoring nine straight points out of the break to take an eight-point lead at 40-32. Guard Quan Jackson, who surpassed 1,500 career points in Wednesday's win, gave UAB an early second-half lead with a jumper just 17 seconds into the second half. The Blazers never trailed again as they controlled the final 20 minutes.

ETSU (5-3) twice trimmed the Blazers' second-half lead to just two points, but Buffen once again took over to spark the UAB offense. A short-range jumper and a pair of layups quickly helped UAB re-establish a 10-point lead at 59-49 with less than six minutes to go in the game.

"It feels good, honestly," Buffen said. "I'm a hard-playing dude, so playing hard out on the court is what makes me happy.

"I feel good when I'm playing hard."

The Blazers scored 19 of the game's final 26 points to make it four double-digit victories to open their home campaign in Bartow Arena.

Jackson (13) and point guard Jordan Walker (12) joined Buffen in double figures in Wednesday's victory. Walker has now reached double figures in all seven games he's played so far this season.

UAB outscored ETSU 42-30 in points in the paint and notched a 13-5 advantage in fast-break points.

The Blazers will now hit the road for a road matchup at Atlantic 10 foe Saint Louis (7-1) on Saturday. Saturday's tipoff has been moved up to 5:30 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+. It will also be broadcasted live on Bally Sports Midwest.

MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball single-game tickets start as low as $12 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.

Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets to any home basketball game during the 2021-22 season. Groups are encouraged to complete the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information.