The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Rice
UAB Pulls Away For 76-65 Win Over Rice
2/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 6, 2010
HOUSTON (AP) -Aaron Johnson scored a career-high 28 points Saturday and UAB pulled away in the second half for a 76-65 victory over Rice.
The Blazers (19-4, 7-2) trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, and were down 31-26 at halftime. But UAB put together a 16-0 run that stretched from the end of the first half and beginning of the second half to take the lead for good. Another 9-0 run put UAB up 47-37 with 13:01 remaining. The Owls (7-15, 1-8) got no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
"I thought we came out a little flat to start the game, but we did a really good job in the second half of setting the tempo and dictating play," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "Aaron and Jamarr were terrific and knocked down some big shots.
"This is the first win of our new season," Davis continued. "We are in the second half of conference play and now we have seven games remaining. This was an important win for that reason."
Johnson was 7 of 10 from the field and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line for UAB. He also had five assists and three steals. Jamarr Sanders added 18 points - all in the second half - and Elijah Millsap 13 for the Blazers.
"I'm more happy with five assists and two turnovers instead of 28 points," said Johnson, who had eight assists and nine turnovers in Wednesday's loss to Memphis. "First and foremost, I want to get my team involved. That's the first thing I want to do."
Arsalan Kazemi led Rice with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Lawrence Ghoram added 13 points and Trey Stanton had 12.
UAB had a big advantage at the free throw line, hitting 28 of 34 shots compared to just 10 of 18 for Rice.
The Blazers finished the contest shooting 40.8 percent from the floor (20-of-49) and 50.0 percent from three-point range (8-of-16).
UAB will now have a week off before playing its next game, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 13, against Marshall. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. at Bartow Arena.
