The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
1-1,0-0American
Nicholls
1-1,0-0Southland
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholls | 30 | 33 | 63 |
| UAB | 36 | 34 | 70 |
11/6/2026 9:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Behind a career night from Jeremy Elyzee and a strong defensive effort, the UAB men's basketball team earned its first victory of the 2026-27 season with a 70-63 win over Nicholls on Friday night in the Blazers' first game at the newly renovated Bartow Arena.
Elyzee recorded his first double-double in a UAB uniform, finishing with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. The performance marked UAB's first double-double of the season and pushed Elyzee past 300 career rebounds.
Four Blazers finished in double figures as Justyn Fernandez and Deuce Jones each scored 14 points, while T.J. Caldwell added 12.
The Blazers (1-1) controlled the glass throughout the contest, outrebounding Nicholls 50-38 while holding the Colonels (1-1) to 31.9 percent shooting from the field, including just 28.2 percent in the second half.
"I thought we were really tenacious," head coach Andy Kennedy said. "I thought defensively we were much better tonight, and that's a positive. It's a positive to get a win."
Fernandez etched his name into the history of the renovated arena, scoring UAB's first points on a floater less than two minutes into the contest. The senior also surpassed 700 career points in the victory.
After falling behind 3-0, the Blazers used a 7-0 run, capped by a Fernandez 3-pointer, to take control early. UAB extended its advantage to double figures midway through the first half as Caldwell provided a spark off the bench, including a steal and fast-break dunk that put the Blazers ahead 22-12.
UAB built its largest lead of the night at 36-23 following an Elyzee layup with 2:17 remaining in the opening half. However, Nicholls closed the period on a 7-0 run to cut the Blazers' advantage to 36-30 at the break.
The Blazers pushed their lead back to 11 early in the second half following a 3-pointer from Jones that made it 46-35 with 16:36 remaining. Nicholls continued to battle, trimming the deficit to four points on multiple occasions, including 53-49 with just over eight minutes to play.
UAB responded with timely baskets down the stretch, highlighted by a Caldwell fast-break dunk and an Antallah Sandlin-El 3-pointer that stretched the lead to 58-51 with 5:42 remaining.
The Blazers maintained their advantage in the closing minutes behind Jones, Fernandez and Elyzee, whose work on the offensive glass helped UAB secure the victory.
"To that kid's credit, he really responded," Kennedy said of Elyzee. "I thought he had some huge offensive rebounds at the end as we were trying to salt it away."
Elyzee credited his performance to the team's determination to bounce back from its season-opening loss to McNeese.
"I really wanted to win, and I'll do whatever it takes to win," Elyzee said. "And if that means get 14 rebounds again, I got to do it again with no complaints."
Along with Elyzee's performance, Fernandez finished with a season-high 14 points and six rebounds. Jones added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, recording his second consecutive double-digit scoring effort to begin the season. Caldwell reached double figures for the second time this season, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Salim London pulled down a career-high seven rebounds, while Matt Mbole collected a career-best four boards. Sandlin-El contributed eight points off the bench.
Despite shooting just 38.2 percent from the field and 24 percent from 3-point range, the Blazers capitalized at the free-throw line, connecting on 22-of-28 attempts, while holding a 22-15 advantage in fast-break points.
The victory came in front of 3,419 fans experiencing the newly renovated Bartow Arena for the first men's basketball contest of the season.
"I thought it came out great," Kennedy said of the renovation. "Congratulations to everybody involved. I hope our fans appreciate it as much as we do."
Elyzee also recognized the atmosphere and the impact of the home crowd.
"Just feeling the energy from the crowd tonight definitely helped us out," Elyzee said. "Them cheering for an offensive rebound or cheering for a dunk, that boosts energy within us."
Nicholls was led by AJ Dent with 14 points, while Doyel Cockrill III and Jared Taylor added 12 apiece.
UP NEXT
UAB returns to Bartow Arena on Monday, Nov. 9, to host Florida A&M. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, with the game streaming live on ESPN+.
COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE FUND
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