The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Wednesday, November 25
Bartow Arena
2:30 P.M.
UAB
99
vs
50
Alcorn State
Andy Kennedy Era Begins With 99-50 Victory Over Alcorn State
11/25/2020 6:17:00β―PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM β In his first game as head coach of the UAB men's basketball team, Andy Kennedy led the Blazers to an impressive 99-50 victory over Alcorn State on Saturday afternoon.
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Five UAB players scored in double-figures led by Jalen Benjamin's 21 points. Kassim Nicholson scored a career-high 16 points, Quan Jackson was one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and a game-high nine boards. Michael Ertel and Tyreek Scott-Grayson each added 10 points for the Blazers.
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Alcorn State was led by Kurk Lee with 14 points.
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The first 14 minutes of the game was a two-possession contest. Jackson's layup at the 6:13 mark put UAB ahead 29-21 and started a 16-2 run to give the Blazers a 20-point lead at 42-23 with 2:36 remaining. Nicholson's jumper gave the Blazers its largest lead of the half at 25 points, 50-25, just before halftime.
Jackson's fast break bucket at 17:32 of the 2ndΒ half put the Blazers ahead by 30 points at 57-27.
The UAB lead swelled to 40 points by the midway point of the half on a Benjamin 3-pointer that made the score 78-38.
The largest lead of the game was 51 points, which happened twice. First on Ertel's layup at 3:39, making the score 95-44 and against on a Koby Jeffries layup with under a minute remaining, which put UAB ahead 99-48.
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As a team, the Blazers shot 53.4%, converting 31 of 58 attempts β including 6-of-14 from 3-point range. They got to the line 39 times, making 31 (79.5%). UAB had 10 blocks, six coming from Trey Jemison, which is his career-high.
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The Blazers defense held the Braves to 30.2 percent shooting and lheld ast season's leading scorer Troymain Crosby to just nine points on 3-of-14 shooting.
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"This was a good win," said Kennedy. "I'm proud of the way the guys attacked the game. Our guys gave effort in their approach to this transition β both coaching change transition and playing amid a global pandemic. Our energy, effort, toughness and awareness was the difference in changing the tide of the game."
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The Blazers return to the Bartow Arena floor on Saturday afternoon against Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff is at 2:00 p.m. The Lions open their season against Purdue University Fort Wayne this evening.
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Game Notes
A limited number of season tickets remain in the upper level and can be purchased on a first come, first served basis. For those interested in season tickets, please fill out theΒ season ticket request formΒ or contact the UAB Ticket Office at 205-975-8221. A member of the UAB Athletics Ticket Sales and Service team will follow up with you regarding available seating options.
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For more information on the UAB men's basketball program, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram. Also be sure to follow @CoachAK13 on Twitter.
Β
Five UAB players scored in double-figures led by Jalen Benjamin's 21 points. Kassim Nicholson scored a career-high 16 points, Quan Jackson was one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and a game-high nine boards. Michael Ertel and Tyreek Scott-Grayson each added 10 points for the Blazers.
Β
Alcorn State was led by Kurk Lee with 14 points.
Β
The first 14 minutes of the game was a two-possession contest. Jackson's layup at the 6:13 mark put UAB ahead 29-21 and started a 16-2 run to give the Blazers a 20-point lead at 42-23 with 2:36 remaining. Nicholson's jumper gave the Blazers its largest lead of the half at 25 points, 50-25, just before halftime.
Jackson's fast break bucket at 17:32 of the 2ndΒ half put the Blazers ahead by 30 points at 57-27.
The UAB lead swelled to 40 points by the midway point of the half on a Benjamin 3-pointer that made the score 78-38.
The largest lead of the game was 51 points, which happened twice. First on Ertel's layup at 3:39, making the score 95-44 and against on a Koby Jeffries layup with under a minute remaining, which put UAB ahead 99-48.
Β
As a team, the Blazers shot 53.4%, converting 31 of 58 attempts β including 6-of-14 from 3-point range. They got to the line 39 times, making 31 (79.5%). UAB had 10 blocks, six coming from Trey Jemison, which is his career-high.
Β
The Blazers defense held the Braves to 30.2 percent shooting and lheld ast season's leading scorer Troymain Crosby to just nine points on 3-of-14 shooting.
Β
"This was a good win," said Kennedy. "I'm proud of the way the guys attacked the game. Our guys gave effort in their approach to this transition β both coaching change transition and playing amid a global pandemic. Our energy, effort, toughness and awareness was the difference in changing the tide of the game."
Β
The Blazers return to the Bartow Arena floor on Saturday afternoon against Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff is at 2:00 p.m. The Lions open their season against Purdue University Fort Wayne this evening.
Β
Game Notes
- UAB improves to 29-14 in season openers
- Kennedy is 13-1 in season openers and 15-0 against SWAC teams
- The Blazers are 8-0 against Alcorn State all-time and 24-14 against schools located in Mississippi
- Nicholson finished the game a +46 and Jackson a +42
- UAB outscored Alcorn State in the paint 42-28 and had 29 fast break points to the Braves' two
- This was the most points UAB has scored since March 3, 2018 when they defeated WKU 101-73
A limited number of season tickets remain in the upper level and can be purchased on a first come, first served basis. For those interested in season tickets, please fill out theΒ season ticket request formΒ or contact the UAB Ticket Office at 205-975-8221. A member of the UAB Athletics Ticket Sales and Service team will follow up with you regarding available seating options.
Β
For more information on the UAB men's basketball program, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram. Also be sure to follow @CoachAK13 on Twitter.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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