MBB Falls in Overtime at FIU

Saturday, January 7

Miami, Fla.

6 p.m.

UAB

-124,32 CUSA

FIU

-87,22 CUSA

OT 1

UAB

FIU

MBB Falls in Overtime at FIU

1/7/2023 9:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MIAMI – UAB men's basketball (12-4, 3-2 C-USA) dropped its second-straight game on the road at FIU (8-7, 2-2 C-USA) in overtime, 90-87. Dashon Gittens' layup and free throw with one second remaining gave the Panthers the overtime victory.

Despite a slow start from each team on the offensive end, the Blazers took control of the game midway through the first half. Leading 21-18 at the 6:30 mark, UAB went on a 13-2 run to take a 34-20 advantage, aided by a trio of FIU turnovers.

Making his first start since returning from injury, Ledarrius Brewer scored 13 points in the first half to spark the Blazers.

The Blazers would extend the lead to as many as 15 points in the first half, after Ledarrius Brewer knocked down a three with 3:28 to go, making it 37-22 for UAB. The Blazers, however, did not close the half well. Over the final 2:38, the Panthers went on a 9-2 run to cut the UAB advantage to just eight at the half.

UAB looked to be in control early in the second half, pushing the lead back out to 14 points before the first media timeout. The lead remained in double figures for the first nine minutes of the half.

A 12-0 FIU run brought the Panthers right back into the mix with Denver Jones as the catalyst. The Blazers responded with an 8-0 run of their own to get the advantage back to nine, but FIu would not go away.

Once again, the Panthers narrowed the UAB lead with a 7-1 run. FIU took its first lead since early in the first half with under one minute remaining in regulation.

The Blazers were forced to intentionally foul after coming up empty on the ensuing possession. After FIU hit only 1-of-2 free throws, making it 79-77, the Blazers needed a bucket. Trey Jemison stepped up and tipped the ball in to tie it with just a few seconds remaining.

In the overtime period, the Blazers jumped ahead by five with 2:30 left on the clock, but the Panthers were quick to erase the advantage, tying it up within the next minute. After UAB forced a shot clock violation on FIU, the Blazers turned it over with four seconds remaining and Gittens was able to put the game away with a layup and free throw in the final second.

NOTES

UAB dropped back-to-back games for the first time since the 2020-21 season and for only the second time during the Andy Kennedy era.
Trey Jemison matched his career high of 17 points while grabbing 12 rebounds.
Eric Gaines matched his career high of 19 points while adding five rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
Ledarrius Brewer finished with a season high of 15 points while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out six assists.
The Blazers finished with over 20 assists for the third time this season.

UP NEXT
The Blazers return home to face Western Kentucky at 8 p.m. CT at Bartow Arena. The contest will air on CBS Sports Network.

TICKETS
UAB men's basketball single game tickets are on sale for the 2022-23 season. For more information about 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
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.