The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Troy
Blazers Hold Off Trojans, 73-68
12/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Robert Vaden scored 24 points to lead UAB to a 73-68 win against Troy on Saturday.
The Blazers (7-3) also got 20 points from Paul Delaney III and 13 from Channing Toney, who also grabbed eight rebounds.
Brandon Hazzard scored a game-high 27 points to lead Troy (4-7). He was the only Trojan to reach double-figure scoring on the day.
"We're fortunate they didn't make the shots in the first half like they did in the second half," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "They made tough shots inthe second half and missed some easy shots in the first half. Not taking anything away from Troy because they did a good job of being ready to play.
"At the same time, I was disappointed in our lack of concentration," Davis continued. "But a win is a win as they say, but you want to get better and you want to play better. We have a good basketball team. I just have to find a way to get the guys to play at a higher level no matter who we are playing against."
The victory gave UAB a sweep of the non-conference series between the Alabama rivals, as the Blazers won at Troy 87-66 in the season opener for both teams.
UAB led 34-27 at halftime and built its margin to 16 points early in the second half. But Troy chipped away as Hazzard warmed up from beyond the arc.
The Trojans pulled to within three points four times in the final 10 minutes. But each time, Vaden responded with a clutch three pointer of his own.
Delaney scored on a dunk and a follow shot, and Toney hit a pair of free throws to help UAB hang on down the stretch.
The Blazers shot 42.6 percent from the floor, including 53.6 percent in the second half, and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc in the contest.
Vaden led UAB with seven of the team's 17 assists in the game, as well as recording seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
The Blazers will not rest for long as they will square off against Florida Atlantic on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Bartow Arena.
