Buffen, Gaines Lift UAB MBB Past South Carolina

Wednesday, December 14

Birmingham, Ala.

6 p.m.

UAB

-82,00 CUSA

South Carolina

5-5,0-0SEC

South Carolina

UAB

Buffen, Gaines Lift UAB MBB Past South Carolina

12/14/2022 10:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Press Conference

BIRMINGHAM – KJ Buffen scored a career-high 25 points and eight rebounds to lead UAB men's basketball to an 84-70 win over SEC foe South Carolina (5-5). The Blazers did not trail

The Blazers (8-2) have won two games against SEC opponents for the first time since the 2009-10 season after defeating Georgia earlier this season.

Jordan Walker got the Blazers started right away, going on a solo 10-0 run over the first 90 seconds of game time. "Jelly" knocked down 3-pointers on each of the first three possessions for UAB which included a four-point play.

The Gamecocks answered back with an 11-1 run to tie it up as the pace of the game slowed. After Eric Gaines scored to put UAB up 13-11, neither team scored for two minutes of game time.

UAB received a spark from KJ Buffen. The fifth-year senior scored on three-straight possessions and then dished out an assist on the fourth as the Blazers extended the lead.

The Blazers pushed an eight-point lead with 1:30 left in the first half to a 14-point, 42-28 advantage at the break. Walker scored seven points over the stretch for a solo 7-1 run.

South Carolina would not be able to cut the UAB lead to single digits throughout the second half. Gaines scored 14 of his career-high 19 points in the second half to help the Blazers jump ahead by as many as 23 points.

Buffen continued his dominant ways in the second half, setting the tone on the offensive and defensive ends. He was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line over the last 20 minutes.

NOTES

The Blazers defeated two SEC teams in one season for the first time since 2009-10 and only the second time since Gene Bartow was the Blazers' head coach.
KJ Buffen scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Eric Gaines scored a career-high 19 points while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out three assists.
Jordan "Jelly" Walker has recorded 22 assists over the last three games.
The Blazers shot a season-high of .941 (16-17) from the free throw line.
The Gamecocks lead the all-time series against UAB 3-2, but the Blazers are 2-0 at Bartow Arena.

UP NEXT
The Blazers will face off with Southern on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. CT at Bartow Arena. The game will air on CBS Sports Network.

TICKETS
UAB men's basketball single-game tickets are now available for the 2022-23 season. Season tickets for are also still available starting as low as $110. Season ticket packages provide the most cost-effective way to attend games during the upcoming season. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 or request more information by clicking here.

GROUP TICKETS AND FAN EXPERIENCE PACKAGES
Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at Bartow Arena by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences are available on a first come, first served basis to any home basketball game during the 2022-23 season.

FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
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