Balanced Team Effort Leads UAB Past Lamar 57-48

Tuesday, November 26

Bartow Arena

7:00 PM

UAB

Lamar

Balanced Team Effort Leads UAB Past Lamar 57-48

11/26/2019 10:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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BIRMINGHAM – Tyreek Scott-Grayson, Kassim Nicholson and Jalen Benjamin each scored in double-figures and Tavin Lovan and Will Butler each grabbed nine rebounds in UAB's 57-48 victory over Lamar in the third game of the BBN Showcase at Bartow Arena on Tuesday night.

The Cardinals, who averaged 75.7 points per game coming into tonight's contest were held to a season-low point total by a Blazer defense that held them to 29 percent shooting, including a 3-of-18 effort from beyond the arc.

The Blazers came out of the gates in the 1^st half by scoring the first eight points of the game and holding the Cardinals scoreless for the first 2:35. Lamar missed their first six shots and nine of their first 11 as UAB build an 18-10 lead by the 8:13 mark. However, LU would go on a 9-0 run to go ahead 19-18 at 4:25. Leads would exchange hands three times along with a tie until Lovan's free throw sent the game into halftime with UAB leading 25-24.

The 2^nd half was close throughout the duration. Lamar briefly took a one point lead, but that was quickly answered by a Makhtar Gueye at the 11:13 mark that made the score 35-34. Nicholson came up clutch when it mattered the most, including hitting a key 3-pointer to make it a two possession contest with 3:13 left. He iced the game with two foul shots with 12 seconds remaining.

"Our defensive plan was phenomenal tonight," said head coach Robert Ehsan. UAB held Lamar's second leading scorer Davion Buster to 5-of-18 shooting. "I loved how we rebounded tonight, we always had a bunch of guys attacking the basket well."

UAB outrebounded Lamar 52-40 and had 19 offensive rebounds. The Blazers forced 11 Cardinals turnovers which were converted into 15 points.

Scott-Grayson's 13 points and Nicholson's 12 points were both season-highs while Benjamin added 10. Butler pulled down nine rebounds for the third time this season.

Up next, the Blazers travel to #9 Kentucky (5-1) on Friday night. The Wildcats are coming off an 81-56 victory over Lamar on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT) and will be aired on the SEC Network.

"We're looking forward to playing Kentucky. Any time you have a chance to play a top-ranked team is definitely exciting."

Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1. Fans can also request more information on ticket options for the upcoming season here. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 20 tickets. To inquire about group tickets for the 2019-20 season, please contact Chris Curtis at (205) 934-3172 or ccurtis2@uab.edu.