The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Balanced Attack Leads UAB Past Cal State East Bay
11/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score (PDF) | UAB vs. Cal State East Bay Highlights | Postgame Quotes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Lewis Sullivan scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead UAB to a 99-59 victory over Cal State East Bay Friday night in an exhibition game from Bartow Arena.
Sullivan was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field to go along with four assists and two steals in 21 minutes.
"Lewis has been aggressive on the offensive end over the last eight to 10 days of practice," UAB head coach Jerod Haase said. "Tonight was a game where he took advantage of the things he does well."
Dirk Williams and Chris Cokley each scored 16 points to help the Blazers register 68 points off the bench.
"The biggest factor our bench provided was the energy level," Haase added. "The starters were trying to feel their way through things, but I thought our bench came in and played with a little more reckless abandonment."
UAB used a 22-4 run early in the first half to build a 26-12 lead with just over nine minutes before halftime. Cal State East Bay pulled to within 11 points with 4:26 remaining, but the Blazers ended the half on a 16-5 run to build a 46-24 halftime lead.
"We played as a team tonight and that contributed to the win," Sullivan said. "If the team continues to play well and everyone knows their role, then we can be really good this season."
The Blazers would go on to lead by as many as 41 points in the second half.
"We certainly had a lot of guys contribute in a number of different ways tonight," Haase said. "We don't look at it as a distinction between starters and bench players, and that is a great asset for us moving forward."
UAB opens the regular season Nov. 13 at 8:30 p.m. when the Blazers face in-state foe Auburn from Auburn Arena.
For more information on UAB men's basketball, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MBB), on Instagram (@blazerhoops) or on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABMensBasketball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
