The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Boston College
Blazers Edged by Boston College, 83-77
11/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2008
NEW YORK - UAB senior forward Lawrence Kinnard had a career-high 29 points, but it was not enough as the Blazers dropped an 83-77 decision to Boston College in the consolation game of the 2008 NIT Season Tipoff at Madison Squad Garden.
UAB was forced to play without the team's second-leading scorer in Paul Delaney III, who missed the contest with an injured ankle.
"I am very disappointed we lost this game," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "There was a stretch in the game where they just out-toughed us. I feel like we have a very good basketball team but until you play with some toughness down the stretch in key moments of the game, it's definitely going to prevent you from winning games.
"Boston College is a good physical basketball team and we need to play physical teams for us to be ready for conference play."
Boston College was led by Tyrese Rice's 24 points - all coming the in the second half as the Eagles rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to secure the win.
Rakim Sanders added 16 points, Joe Trapani had 12 and Reggie Jackson 11 for the Eagles (4-2), who trailed 70-66 with about 6 minutes left before Rice hit a 3-pointer that ignited an 11-2 run.
Robert Vaden cut the lead to 77-74 with his basket with 2:10 left, but Sanders scored four quick points to seal it.
It marked the second straight game the Blazers held a lead with five minutes left but failed to hang on for a win.UAB led No. 11 Oklahoma, 62-60, with 5:19 remaining before falling by 10, 77-67, on Wednesday.
Vaden added 20 points for UAB (4-2) and Howard Crawford had 10.
UAB has played its first six games away from home, which set a school record for consecutive games on the road to start a season. The Blazers will finally have a chance to play their first home game of the 2008-09 season, when they take on USF on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. CT.
