Gaines, Davis Lead UAB MBB to Gritty Win Over ECU

Saturday, January 20

Birmingham, Ala.

2 p.m.

UAB

12-6,4-1AAC

East Carolina

9-10,2-4AAC

East Carolina

UAB

Photo by: Sully Ortega

Gaines, Davis Lead UAB MBB to Gritty Win Over ECU

1/20/2024 6:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Presser

BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball (12-6, 4-1 AAC) picked up a hard-fought, 69-61, win over East Carolina (9-10, 2-4 AAC) on Saturday afternoon at Bartow Arena. Eric Gaines scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out eight assists while Javian Davis added 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

The Blazers got off to a very slow start on the offensive end, failing to get on the board for the first 4:31 of the game. The Pirates opened the game on a 10-2 run and did not trail in the first half.

A 13-4 UAB run midway through the first half tied the game at 19 after Alejandro Vasquez knocked down a jumper, but ECU scored the next six points to regain the advantage.

Eric Gaines paced the Blazers on the offensive end in the first half, scoring 11 of his 17 points over the first 20 minutes. He closed the half with his third assist, finding Javian Davis with eight seconds remaining to cut the Pirates' lead to 35-32 with eight seconds to go, where it would remain at the break.

ECU maintained its lead throughout the early stages of the second half despite the Blazers cutting the margin to one point on multiple occasions.

Daniel Ortiz gave UAB its first lead of the night at the 6:51 mark in the second half with his second three of the day and the Blazers did not look back. Javian Davis' layup at the 3:55 mark capped a 13-1 UAB run, giving the Blazers all of the momentum.

The Pirates worked the lead back down to two points after trading baskets, including an Eric Gaines highlight-reel dunk. Efrem "Butta" Johnson came through in the clutch yet again for the Blazers, knocking down a huge three in the corner to push the lead to five.

Gaines and Yaxel Lendeborg combined to go 6-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch to close it out as the Blazers picked up the 69-61 win.

NOTES

The Blazers snapped a three-game losing streak to the Pirates. UAB leads the all-time series 13-6.
Eric Gaines posted 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists with only one turnover while playing all 40 minutes.
Javian Davis got back in double figures for the first time in conference play, adding 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Christian Coleman posted his second-straight game in double figures with 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Pirates outrebounded the Blazers 42-33, the largest deficit by UAB in a win since Feb. 18, 2023.
UAB has won eight of its last nine games.

TICKET INFORMATION
Single game tickets are on sale for as low as $12. Follow this link or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more information.

GROUP AND PREMIUM TICKETS
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