UAB Defeats Grambling State 79-61 Behind Strong Opening Half

Tuesday, December 14

Bartow Arena

6:30 p.m.

UAB

-92,00 CUSA

GRAMBLING STATE

2-8,0-0SWAC

Grambling

UAB

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

UAB Defeats Grambling State 79-61 Behind Strong Opening Half

12/14/2021 10:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Press Conference

BIRMINGHAM – Jordan Walker's game-high 22 points helped lead the UAB men's basketball team to a 79-61 victory over Grambling State on Tuesday night at Bartow Arena. The Blazers' 18-point victory moved them to 7-0 this season in Bartow Arena, winning each game by at least 14 points or more.

Walker, who has reached double figures in all but one game this season, poured in 15 of his 22 points in a dominant first half for the Blazers. UAB outscored Grambling State (3-8) 49-25 in the opening 20 minutes, shooting 52.6% from the field while limiting the Tigers to just 25% shooting on the other end of the court.

UAB (9-2) started to separate itself from Grambling State just under 12 minutes into the first half, scoring 11 straight points to turn an 11-7 lead into a 22-7 advantage in just under three minutes of game action. Guard Tavin Lovan opened the run with a layup before a dunk from KJ Buffen and a 3-pointer from Walker helped stretch the UAB lead to double digits.

The Blazers would continue to control the tempo throughout the first half, outscoring the Tigers 14-4 fast-break points and 22-10 in points in the paint over the game's first 20 minutes.

"We were really good in the first half I thought," head coach Andy Kennedy said. "At the end of the day, it was a convincing win, and we led it for all 40 minutes.

"I thought Jelly Walker was outstanding in the first half."

In the second half, guards Jamal Johnson and Michael Ertel knocked down shots from behind the arc to help the Blazers shoot an efficient 58.3% (7-of-12) from 3-point range. Walker paced UAB with three 3-pointers on 3-of-6 shooting from behind the 3-point line.

UAB outscored Grambling State 29-17 in bench points and scored 29 points off 20 GSU turnovers. UAB has forced double-digit turnover tallies in all 11 of its games this season, forcing 20 or more in eight of those 11 contests.

UAB's 49 first-half points ranked as its second-highest total of the season and most against a Division I opponent in 2021-22.

The Blazers' 12 blocks in Tuesday's win marked the first time UAB has posted 10 blocks or more in a game since Andy Kennedy's first game as UAB head coach, which was a 99-50 win over Alcorn State. Josh LeBlanc, Sr. (five) and Trey Jemison (four) paced the Green and Gold in the defensive category.

The Blazers will host West Virginia (9-1) in a highly anticipated matchup at Legacy Arena on Saturday. Saturday's first game of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Basketball Classic will mark the first college basketball game played at the newly renovated Legacy Arena. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. and will be carried live on CBS Sports Network.

MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball single-game tickets start as low as $12 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.

Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets to any home basketball game during the 2021-22 season. Groups are encouraged to complete the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information.