Balanced Attack Leads UAB to 67-57 Win Over Alabama A&M

Thursday, November 29

Huntsville, Aa.

7 p.m.

UAB

5-2

Alabama A&M

0-7

UAB

Alabama A&M Men

Balanced Attack Leads UAB to 67-57 Win Over Alabama A&M

11/29/2018 10:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Thursday night's win showcased UAB's balance on the offensive side of the ball as four different Blazers scored in double figures to help seal a 67-57 victory over Alabama A&M at the Von Braun Center.

With the win, UAB (5-2) is off to its best start since the 2013-14 season when that Blazer squad began the season 5-2 through its first seven games.

"I was pleased with the balance that we played with tonight," head coach Robert Ehsan said. "To have four players score in double figures is a testament to the unselfishness of our guys. This is the best start we have had since I have been here, so I hope we can carry that momentum into Tuesday's game against North Alabama."

In his homecoming game, senior Lewis Sullivan notched a season-high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and pulled down six boards. His point total was matched by freshman Tavin Lovan, who scored in double figures for the second-straight game with 12 points and matched a career high with seven rebounds.

Jeremiah Bell continued his hot play by adding 11 points and a career-high six boards in his second-straight start, while Jalen Perry rounded out UAB's double-figure performers with 10 points of his own.

The Blazers finished the game shooting 51.8 percent (29-of-56) from the floor with the help of its huge offensive outpouring in the second half, where they shot 62.5 percent (15-of-24). Similar to the balance its displayed in the scoring column, it was a team effort on the glass as UAB outrebounded Alabama A&M, 41-29, with five different Blazers bringing down at least five boards.

Alabama A&M's (0-7) Arthur Johnson led four Bulldogs in double figures with a game-high 17 points to go along with four rebounds.

It appeared that the Blazers were going to be in complete control early when they opened the game on a 15-5 run on the back of eight points from Sullivan. That was not the case, though, after the Bulldogs' offense began to heat up and cut the lead to 23-21 after a made 3-pointer from Johnson. With UAB's lead cut to 26-24 with 4:37 remaining in the half, an 8-2 run over the next three minutes gave the Blazers a comfortable 34-27 lead at halftime.

Perry restored UAB's its double-digit advantage early in the second half, burying a 3-pointer to put the Blazers ahead, 38-27. Both offense's remained stagnant, trading buckets until a 3-pointer by Bell put UAB up 55-41 with 9:30 on the clock.

The Blazers were set up for an emphatic finish when Will Butler threw down a monster dunk to open the team's largest lead of the night at 67-49 with 3:26 to play. The Bulldogs rattled off eight unanswered points in the final minutes of play, but the margin was too much for them to overcome as the Green and Gold held on for the 67-57 win.

UAB returns to Birmingham for the first time in a little over two weeks when its hosts North Alabama in Bartow Arena on Tuesday, December 4. Tip between the Blazers and Lions is set for 7 p.m. on CUSA.tv.

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).