The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
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UTEP
UAB Nips UTEP, 81-73
2/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 9, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Lawrence Kinnard scored 23 points and Robert Vaden added 17 to lead UAB to an 81-73 victory over UTEP on Saturday night.
The win improves the Blazers to 11-0 in home games this season. It is the best-ever start at Bartow Arena, and teh best home start to a season since beginning 11-0 during the 1983-84 campaign. The Blazers had two perfect home records in a season in 1981-82 (14-0) and 1982-83 (14-0).
Channing Toney had 12 points and Howard Crawford had 10 as UAB (16-7,6-2 Conference USA) held off a late rally from UTEP (14-8, 5-4).
Stefon Jackson scored 22 points and Randy Culpepper had 20 to lead UTEP. Marvin Kilgore added 10 points for the Miners.
UAB took a 67-57 lead when Vaden hit a 3-pointer with 7:10 left in the game. The Blazers led as much as 14 points (71-57) with 5:32 remaining, but UTEP chipped away at the lead, with Jackson scoring 13 points down the stretch.
The Miners pulled to within 73-71 on a free throw by Kilgore with 1:20 left, but Vaden hit four free throws, and Aaron Johnson drove for a clutch layup to help UAB hang on. Johnson finished the game with a game-high seven assists to go with seven points and four rebounds.
UAB jumped to a 17-9 lead early, but Jackson hit two baskets to help UTEP come back.
The Miners grabbed a 31-29 lead with just under three minutes left in the half. But a follow shot and two free throws by Reggie Huffman gave UAB a 35-34 lead at the break.
Huffman finished with nine rebounds to help UAB to a 51-32 advantage on the boards. Huffman made his first start in three games after nursing an injury.
The Blazers will next be in action on Wednesday when they travel to take on the Rice Owls. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. CT.
