Long Ball Powers UAB to 77-47 Win Over West Alabama

Sunday, November 18

Bartow Arena

4 p.m.

UAB

3-0

West Alabama

1-3

West Alabama

UAB

Long Ball Powers UAB to 77-47 Win Over West Alabama

11/18/2018 8:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF) Season Stats (PDF) Photo Gallery

BIRMINGHAM – UAB's offense was firing on all cylinders on Sunday afternoon, shooting 55.6 percent (30-of-54) from the field and pouring in 13 3-pointers to clinch program win No. 800 by defeating West Alabama, 77-47, inside Bartow Arena.

Eight different Blazers hit at least one 3-pointer in the contest, the most since Dec. 16, 2015 when eight players drained a trey in a 96-54 win over USC-Upstate, while the 13 treys were the most by UAB since it hit 14 against Alabama A&M on Dec. 16, 2017. UAB finished the evening 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from deep.

"It was great to see our guys get some confidence shooting the ball as we work towards the Orlando tournament," head coach Robert Ehsan said. "I think we showed some of the athleticism and shooting ability that we possess on this team and that we can be really dangerous from long range. This week, we will really hone in on playing our best basketball as we prepare to play away from home for the first time this season."

Sophomore Zack Bryant and newcomer Jeremiah Bell played a major factor in that hot shooting from long range as each contributed three triples in the contest. The duo scored 14 points and 13 points, respectively, and dished out a combined seven assists against the Tigers.

Lewis Sullivan scored in double figures for the third-straight game, adding 11 points and five boards in the victory, while Makhtar Gueye showed his ability to strike from distance, adding two 3-pointers of his own. On the glass, Will Butler once again led the way with eight rebounds to go along with seven points. Tavin Lovan matched Butler's point total and added three rebounds, two steals and an assist.

The game was dominated in the paint, with UAB outscoring West Alabama, 32-12, while the Blazers used an 18-4 advantage in second chance points to help pull away from the Tigers. The bench was a factor late in the game and finished with 32 points compared to 12 points by the UWA reserves.

UAB (3-0) took a commanding lead that it never once relinquished 18 seconds into the first half when Sullivan found Butler for the two-handed jam. That lead eventually grew to as big as 37-21 following a Perry layup before the Blazers headed to the locker room with a 37-25 lead.

The Blazers treated the 2,602 fans in attendance to a 17-5 run over the first seven minutes of the second half to move ahead 54-30. The teams traded buckets throughout the remainder of the game with the margin hovering around 28 points before Luis Hurtado scored his first career points for the Green and Gold, a layup with 27 seconds to play, to secure a 77-47 victory.

UAB returns to action on Thursday, November 22, when it opens play at the AdvoCare Invitational against (14/15) Florida State. More information on the entire tournament, including a complete schedule, ticket information and more, can be found here.

Individual season tickets for the 2018-19 UAB men's basketball campaign are on sale and start as low as $105 in Blaze's Corner. New this season is the Family Four Pack which includes four season tickets for a total cost of $400 along with the Flex Pack for $125. Mini plans are also now available here. For more information, call the UAB Athletics ticket office at 205-975-UAB1.

For more information on the UAB men's basketball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_MBB).