The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
BACK IN FIRST PLACE
1/31/2011 12:00:00 AM | General
Jan. 31, 2011
Blazer fans,
Just one week after the deflating loss to Memphis, and falling out of first place, the Green and Gold rebounded nicely to pick up to come-from-behind wins. And thanks to our good friends Tulsa and Marshall, the Blazers find themselves back in a first-place tie as the week begins.
UAB took care of business on Wednesday at home against Marshall, coming from 10 points down in the second half to pull out the win over the Thundering Herd. It was a gritty win by the Blazers, and it seemed like they finally shook off the effects of that Memphis loss in the final seven minutes. Aaron Johnson turned back into a scorer...Jamarr Sanders hit some big buckets down the stretch, and the UAB defense was absolutely stifling. The Green and Gold ended the game on a 22-8 run, and the Herd was left wondering what had happened.
On Saturday, the Blazers tried to remain perfect against UCF. UAB had never lost to the Knights, and it was eerily similar to last year's game in Orlando. Mike Davis saw his team execute extremely well on offense in the first half, but the defense once again caused some distress on the Blazer bench. As the second half progressed, UCF was shooting a cool 75% from the field. It was amazing to see that the Green and Gold were only down three points with just under eight minutes to play. Just when they needed it, the defense came around. The Knights were held to just one field goal over the final seven minutes, and the Blazers found their rhythm again on offense in the closing minutes. Orlando native Dexter Field enjoyed his homecoming for the second straight year, and he poured in a team-high 19 points in the win. Clutch free throws down the stretch helped seal the win, and the Green and Gold left Orlando just the way they had every other time they played UCF...a winner.
After UAB's win, the Blazers got good news from around the league. Marshall put a whippin' on Memphis in Huntington, and Tulsa won a thriller at home over UTEP. Those two results, along with UAB's win, brought about a three-way tie for first. All three teams are 5-2 as the midpoint of the C-USA season approaches.
That means it's another important week for Mike Davis and company. It starts on Wednesday with the first of two meetings with Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are much-improved, and the Blazers will have their hands full. We'll need a big crowd at Bartow, and you can also get a little football fix on Wednesday night. It's National Signing Day, and you are all invited to the Signing Day Social in the Green and Gold Room. The party begins at 5 PM, and you'll be able to enjoy dinner with head coach Neil Callaway and his staff, and you'll also get the scoop on all the UAB football signees. The price is $15, and that includes a ticket to the basketball game. Check out www.uabsports.com for more information.
Over the weekend the Blazers will visit New Orleans. UAB and Tulane will tip at 2 PM at Fogelman Arena, and our pre-game will begin at 1:30 PM on the Blazer Sports Network from IMG College.
Well, that's going to do it for this week...the start of Blazer Sportsline is moments away. Come join us on Monday nights from 7:30-8:30 PM at the Full Moon BBQ on Valley Avenue. Coach Davis and I would love the company!
Have a great week...see you Wednesday night...and GO BLAZERS!!!
DC
