The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Monday, November 6
Birmingham, Ala.
7 p.m.
UAB
0-1,0-0AAC
71
vs
73
Bradley
1-0,0-0MVC
1
2
OT 1
F
Bradley
40
24
9
73
UAB
24
40
7
71
Photo by: Sully Ortega
Men’s Basketball Falls to Bradley in Overtime in Rollercoaster Opener
11/6/2023 11:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball (0-1) fell to Bradley (1-0) in overtime, 73-71, in its season opener. The Braves scored with 2.8 seconds remaining and the Blazers' three at the buzzer did not go down.
Each team got off to a slow start in the first half as Bradley led only 12-9 at the 10-minute mark. The Braves then went on a 17-3 run to widen the advantage to 29-12. The Braves led by as many as 20 points in the first half. UAB struggled mightily from the field over the first 20 minutes, shooting 27 percent, compared to 54 percent for Bradley. The Braves led 40-24 at the break.
It was a different story to begin the second half. The Blazers scored the first eight points of the period to immediately cut the Bradley advantage to just eight. With the score at 48-41, the Blazers scored 18 straight points, grabbing a 59-48 lead with 6:42 remaining in the half.
UAB's defense forced nine turnovers over the first 15 minutes of the second half to get back into the game and take the lead. With the Blazers leading by 11, the Braves' offense woke up quickly. Bradley scored six unanswered points in 30 seconds to cut the lead to five.
The Blazers did not score for four minutes before a game-tying free throw with 1:46 remaining. Bradley jumped ahead with 33 seconds to go on a dunk by Malevy Leons, but UAB answered right back with a Javian Davis dunk at the 24 second mark. The Bradley three at the buzzer rimmed out to send the game to overtime.
The contest remained within one possession the entirety of overtime. With UAB leading 68-67 after a Javian Davis dunk, Leons got to the line on back-to-back possessions, hitting all four free throws to give Bradley a three-point lead. Davis came through for the Blazers again with a three-point play to tie the game up with only 26 seconds remaining.
UAB nearly turned Bradley over with 17 seconds on the clock, but the Braves called a timeout. Bradley scored with only 2.8 seconds left on the clock with a floater from Darius Hannah. Eric Gaines' last second attempt did not go down.
NOTES
UP NEXT
The Blazers will travel to Asheville on Friday to take on Clemson in the Asheville Championship. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
PURCHASE YOUR 2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are still on sale starting as low as $110. Season packages will feature all home games during UAB's inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games in Bartow Arena. Fans may request more information here or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
GROUP AND PREMIUM TICKETS
Individual and corporate groups can plan an unforgettable experience during any of UAB's 18 home events this season by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Fan experience packages and discounted group tickets are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences at Bartow Arena are available at any home basketball game on a first come, first served basis throughout the season.
In addition, a limited number of premium seating options also remain at Bartow Arena and provides fans and corporations the ability to enjoy the exclusive amenities offered at Bartow Arena while experiencing the action from midcourt views. Call Blazer Boosters at (205) 996-9969 to learn more.
POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to officially compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to Power Up by becoming a 2023 Blazer Boosters member. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes complete for championships, graduate with honors, and make a difference in our community.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Each team got off to a slow start in the first half as Bradley led only 12-9 at the 10-minute mark. The Braves then went on a 17-3 run to widen the advantage to 29-12. The Braves led by as many as 20 points in the first half. UAB struggled mightily from the field over the first 20 minutes, shooting 27 percent, compared to 54 percent for Bradley. The Braves led 40-24 at the break.
It was a different story to begin the second half. The Blazers scored the first eight points of the period to immediately cut the Bradley advantage to just eight. With the score at 48-41, the Blazers scored 18 straight points, grabbing a 59-48 lead with 6:42 remaining in the half.
UAB's defense forced nine turnovers over the first 15 minutes of the second half to get back into the game and take the lead. With the Blazers leading by 11, the Braves' offense woke up quickly. Bradley scored six unanswered points in 30 seconds to cut the lead to five.
The Blazers did not score for four minutes before a game-tying free throw with 1:46 remaining. Bradley jumped ahead with 33 seconds to go on a dunk by Malevy Leons, but UAB answered right back with a Javian Davis dunk at the 24 second mark. The Bradley three at the buzzer rimmed out to send the game to overtime.
The contest remained within one possession the entirety of overtime. With UAB leading 68-67 after a Javian Davis dunk, Leons got to the line on back-to-back possessions, hitting all four free throws to give Bradley a three-point lead. Davis came through for the Blazers again with a three-point play to tie the game up with only 26 seconds remaining.
UAB nearly turned Bradley over with 17 seconds on the clock, but the Braves called a timeout. Bradley scored with only 2.8 seconds left on the clock with a floater from Darius Hannah. Eric Gaines' last second attempt did not go down.
NOTES
- Javian Davis had a career night, matching his previous best with 20 points, setting a career high with 15 rebounds and four steals.
- Davis shot 8-for-9 from the field and 4-for-6 from the free throw line.
- UAB won the rebounding battle 49-41, including 22 offensive boards.
- The Blazers struggled from the field, shooting only 33.8 percent, including a 15.8 percent clip from beyond the arc.
- Bradley now leads the all-time series 3-2.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will travel to Asheville on Friday to take on Clemson in the Asheville Championship. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
PURCHASE YOUR 2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are still on sale starting as low as $110. Season packages will feature all home games during UAB's inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games in Bartow Arena. Fans may request more information here or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
GROUP AND PREMIUM TICKETS
Individual and corporate groups can plan an unforgettable experience during any of UAB's 18 home events this season by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Fan experience packages and discounted group tickets are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences at Bartow Arena are available at any home basketball game on a first come, first served basis throughout the season.
In addition, a limited number of premium seating options also remain at Bartow Arena and provides fans and corporations the ability to enjoy the exclusive amenities offered at Bartow Arena while experiencing the action from midcourt views. Call Blazer Boosters at (205) 996-9969 to learn more.
POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to officially compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to Power Up by becoming a 2023 Blazer Boosters member. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes complete for championships, graduate with honors, and make a difference in our community.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Team Stats
BRAD
UAB
FG%
.431
.338
3FG%
.333
.158
FT%
.813
.621
RB
41
49
TO
17
11
STL
9
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
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