The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
North Texas
North Texas Tops UAB Men's Basketball, 67-64
2/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Final Stats (PDF)
DENTON, Texas - Three Blazers scored in double figures and UAB led for close to 30 minutes on Thursday, but it was not enough as the UAB men's basketball fell to North Texas, 67-64, at NT's Super Pit.
The loss snaps a three-game win streak for UAB, which falls to 13-12 overall and 9-3 in Conference USA action. North Texas improves to 10-13 and 4-7 in league play.
UAB built as much as a 12 point lead in the first half, but North Texas used a 9-0 run and hit all five of its final shots from the field in the first half, while holding UAB scoreless over the final three minutes to take a 32-31 lead into the half.
The Blazers were led eight points apiece from freshman forward William Lee and junior guard Robert Brown in the opening frame. North Texas climbed back into the game in the opening period thanks to 11 team fouls from UAB that put NT at the free-throw line 13 times, compared to just two UAB free-throw attempts in the opening stanza.
UAB began the second half with a 3-point basket from Hakeem Baxter to grab the lead, 34-32. UAB built as much as a five-point lead on several occasions, but failed to improve on that advantage. Eight second-half turnovers, including three within 55 seconds of each other doomed the Blazers down the stretch.
Despite the miscues, UAB had several chances in the final minute, including Baxter's shot at the buzzer that fell just short as North Texas took the 67-64 win.
Baxter and Lee each led UAB with 13 points a piece on the day. Brown scored 11 points, but was held to just three points in the second half.
The Mean Green outmuscled the Blazers in the paint, outscoring UAB 38-32 in down low. North Texas also committed 17 personal fouls compared to 21 fouls committed by UAB.
Next up, the Blazers travel to Houston, Texas to face Rice at 7 p.m. CT Saturday.
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter @UAB_MBB. For more on all Blazer sports teams, follow @UABAthletics.
