Strong Defensive Effort Leads Blazers to Win at Rice

Saturday, January 28

Houston, Texas

2 p.m.

UAB

-157,65 CUSA

Rice

-156,64 CUSA

UAB

Rice

Strong Defensive Effort Leads Blazers to Win at Rice

1/28/2023 5:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HOUSTON – Despite being shorthanded, UAB men's basketball (15-7, 6-5 C-USA) dominated Rice (15-6, 6-4 C-USA) from start to finish in a 70-52 victory on the road. KJ Buffen and Ledarrius Brewer added 20 points apiece to pace the Blazers.

UAB set the tone on the defensive end, preventing the Owls from getting on the board until the 12:37 mark in the first half. KJ Buffen got the Blazers started on the offensive end, scoring the team's first nine points.

In the first half, the Blazers extended the lead to as many as 21 points, with Ledarrius Brewer adding 11 on 5-for-8 shooting over the first 20 minutes.

The Blazers held Rice to only 15 points and five field goals in the first half. UAB held a 33-15 advantage at the break.

Both teams picked up the pace on the offensive end early in the second half as each team had eight points before the first media timeout.

Rice was able to get the UAB lead down to 15, but the Owls could not close the gap any more. Eric Gaines scored all 13 of his points in the second half while going 8-for-8 from the free throw line.

The Blazers closed it out for a 70-52 win, the fewest points they have allowed this season.

NOTES

Rice's 15 first half points are the fewest allowed by UAB against a Division I team since Jan. 15, 2021 against Charlotte.
UAB held Rice to a season-low .333 percent (19-57) from the field.
KJ Buffen finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Ledarrius Brewer added 20 points, his highest total as a Blazer.
Despite struggling from the field, Eric Gaines finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Trey Jemison added his fifth double-double over the last seven games with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Blazers will face off with No. 21 Florida Atlantic at 6 p.m. CT at Bartow Arena.

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