The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Gritty Blazers Run Past 49ers In Overtime
1/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Steve Irvine, UABSports.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB sophomore Hakeem Baxter played a big role in Thursday night’s 81-76 overtime victory over Charlotte but you have to dig deep into the box score - and maybe further – to get the full picture.
Baxter was one of four UAB players in double digits, scoring 11 points with an off-balance 15-foot jumper with 1:22 left in overtime to give the Blazers a 72-69 lead.
“It was not the exact way I pictured it in my mind – him shooting a 15-footer off one foot but it was a huge play,” UAB head coach Jerod Haase said of Baxter’s big overtime shot.
But he did picture Baxter playing well on the defensive end, that’s why the 6-foot-2 sophomore drew the assignment for much of the night on Charlotte leading scorer Pierria Henry. The 6-foot-5 Henry, who became the 25th Charlotte player to reach 1,000 career points earlier this year, managed just four points on Thursday. He made 2-of-5 shots from the field and turned the ball over four times.
Two of Baxter’s biggest defensive plays came in the final 31 seconds. He forced Henry into a turnover with 31 seconds left and then Baxter followed with two free throws on the ensuing possession. Baxter then blocked a layup attempt by Henry, giving the ball back to the Blazers with 16 seconds remaining.
Overall, Baxter added three rebounds, four assists, a blocked shot and two steals to his point total.
*UAB is making a habit of icing C-USA victories at the free throw line. On Thursday, UAB was 7-of-8 on free throws in the final 28.7 seconds with Baxter and William Lee making two each and Norton hitting 3-of-4.
“It shows how gritty we are,” Haase said. “Obviously, those are all big free throws at defining times of the game. They’re stepping up there with confidence.”
Overall, UAB was 20-of-28 from the free throw line.
*William Lee and Tosin Mehinti made things tough inside for Charlotte’s big men, particularly in the second half. UAB had six of its seven blocked shots in the second half with Lee getting three and Mehinti blocking two.
*The Blazers had 19 assists on 26 baskets. It was the most assists for the Blazers in C-USA play. Nick Norton and Robert Brown each had five assists and Hakeem Baxter dished out four.
*Louisiana Tech dropped out of first place C-USA tie with Western Kentucky on Thursday. Western Kentucky is the lone team in C-USA after six conference games. UAB and Louisiana Tech are one game behind the leader and UTEP, Old Dominion and Middle Tennessee are all two games back.
Haase was asked about the standings following the win over Charlotte.
“I mean this sincerely, right now I do not care at all,” Haase said. “Our goal is going to be to take care of our business and those things kind of shake themselves out. We’re thrilled to be near the top of the standings and hopefully we can continue that.”
