UAB Bounces Back With 68-56 Win at UTSA

Thursday, February 24

San Antonio, Texas

7 p.m.

UAB

-217,114 CUSA

UTSA

-920,214 CUSA

UAB

UTSA

UAB Bounces Back With 68-56 Win at UTSA

2/24/2022 9:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

SAN ANTONIO – The UAB men's basketball team notched a 68-56 victory over UTSA Thursday night at the Convocation Center. UAB's 12-point victory moved the Blazers to a perfect 7-0 following a loss this season and 12-1 following a setback in Andy Kennedy's UAB coaching career.

With an early 13-11 lead, the Blazers expanded their advantage to double digits with a 15-3 run to make it 28-17 with 7:38 remaining in the second half. Interior scoring from forward KJ Buffen and graduate guard Michael Ertel fueled the first-half run for the Blazers. Buffen converted three baskets in the paint during the run, while Ertel finished with a driving layup and nailed a 3-pointer to tally seven points in the opening 20 minutes.

Following a quick 8-0 run from the Roadrunners to trim their deficit to three at 28-25, the Blazers closed the half with nine of the first half's final 14 points to hold a 37-30 lead at the break.

The Blazers (21-7, 11-4 C-USA) started strong in the second half, allowing UTSA just two points in the first 6:20 of the final half, extending their lead to 14 with a 9-2 run to open the final 20 minutes.

UAB would stretch its lead to 17 with 5:55 remaining when center Trey Jemison finished an and-1 opportunity to make it 58-41 Blazers. Jemison slammed home a two-handed dunk to seal his fourth double-double in the game's closing minutes, finishing with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Blazers tallied their 15^th double-digit steal tally of the season in Thursday night's victory, collecting 11 steals to score 18 points off UTSA turnovers. UAB also posted a dominant 42-24 advantage in points the paint.

With his first bucket in the first half, Ertel tallied the 2000^th point of his college basketball career. Ertel finished just one point shy of double digits as Buffen (16), Jordan Walker (14), Tavin Lovan (10) and Jemison (10) finished the game in double figures.

The Blazers will conclude their Texas road swing at UTEP on Saturday night. Saturday night's showdown in the desert is set for 8 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+.

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.