The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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Blazers Drop 79-61 Contest At No. 13 Florida
1/3/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2012
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The UAB men's basketball team placed three players in double figures, but No. 13 Florida sank 15 3-pointers to defeat the Blazers 79-61 on Tuesday night at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
"I thought we played a great basketball team," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "We needed to play a team like this before conference play just to reconfirm all the things we talked about and how to be a good team."
The game served as the final tune up prior to league play for the Blazers, which will start Conference USA action on Saturday at Bartow Arena against the Memphis Tigers. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and will air on the CBS Sports Network.
That contest will also serve as the third annual Bartow Classic, as the late Gene Bartow will be honored. Bartow succumbed to stomach cancer on Tuesday evening. For the third consecutive year, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Coach Gene Bartow Fund for Cancer Research.
"Coach Gene Bartow meant a lot to me and was a mentor to me," Davis said. "I've known him a long time. He recruited me out of high school and has always been there for me. I watched him from afar when he was coaching and he welcomed me with open arms when I came to UAB. The basketball world lost not only a great coach, but a great man."
UAB (5-8) point guard Quincy Taylor topped the squad in scoring, by posting a career-high 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field, including a pair of treys. Taylor also drained all four of his shots from the foul line.
For the fourth time this season, Ovie Soko posted a double-double, totaling 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, while fellow post player Cameron Moore scored 15 points and added seven boards to his stat line.
Florida (12-3), which entered the night leading the nation in 3-point shooting, showcased its sharp perimeter attack, making 15 of 27 3-point attempts. Leading the offense for the Gators was Erving Walker (23 points) and Kenny Boynton (20 points), who combined connected on 13 of 19 shots from downtown.
Patric Young chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds for the Gators, who won their 14th consecutive home game.
Florida trailed midway through the first half and couldn't seem to keep the Blazers off the boards. UAB held a 21-13 rebounding advantage at halftime, but the Gators led by a score of 37-26 heading into the locker room.
The Gators were much more aggressive in the second half. The biggest difference, though, was the 3-point line.
Florida hit four 3s - three of them by Boynton - in a 3-minute span early in the second to push its lead to 21 points.
During the second half a power surge knocked out lights on both baselines. Florida coach Billy Donovan and UAB coach Mike Davis agreed to play through dim conditions in the O'Connell Center.
UAB made a run following the stoppage of play, cutting the lead to 64-55 with 5:01 left, but then Boynton and Walker hit back-to-back 3s that made it a 15-point lead again.
Less than 1,800 tickets remain for Saturday's Bartow Classic. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at UABSports.com or by calling 205-975-UAB1 (8221).
