The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Saturday, February 18
San Antonio, Texas
3 p.m.
UAB
-208,116 CUSA
83
at
78
UTSA
-820,215 CUSA
1
2
F
UAB
35
48
83
UTSA
41
37
78
MBB Escapes with 83-78 Win at UTSA
2/18/2023 8:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Despite a slow start, UAB men's basketball (20-8, 11-6) was able to come back to beat UTSA (8-20, 2-15) with a late surge, 83-78. Jordan Walker scored 25 points, including the Blazers last 10.
The Roadrunners opened the game with a 14-2 run, putting the Blazers on their heels right away. However, UAB was able to jump right back in it with a 19-4 run, taking the lead.
UTSA finished the half strong, jumping ahead by six at the break by a 41-35 mark. Japhet Medor led the way for the hosts with 13 first half points, matching Walker.
Once again, UTSA started the half quickly. The Roadrunners pushed the lead to 11 before the first media timeout after John Buggs III knocked down a three. Jordan Walker picked up his fourth foul with 15 minutes to go in the second half, forcing him to the bench.
A 9-0 UAB run midway through the second half was sparked by Ty Brewer and Tony Toney. The duo forced a pair of turnovers and turned them into transition dunks, cutting the UTSA lead to just one.
The Roadrunners would not go away, rebuilding their lead back to seven points with six minutes remaining. This time, Jordan Walker and KJ Buffen helped UAB go on a 13-2 run to take a four-point lead with two minutes remaining, the Blazers largest lead to that point.
As soon as the Blazers took the 75-71 lead, Medor drilled a three-pointer to make it a one-point game. Leading 77-74, Walker drained a three pointer with the shot clock winding down at the 1:02 mark to give the Blazers a six-point lead.
Still, the hosts would not go away. UTSA cut the lead back down to just two points with under 30 seconds remaining and the Roadrunners got the ball back trailing only by three with 18 seconds on the clock. The Blazers were able to get a crucial stop and Walker hit each of his free throws with five seconds to go, giving UAB the 83-78 victory.
NOTES
UP NEXT
The Blazers will take on Rice on Thursday, Feb. 23 for Senior Night. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bartow Arena.
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.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are now available starting as low as $110. Season ticket packages will feature all home games during UAB's inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. Fans may renew season tickets, purchase new season tickets or request more information on season ticket options here. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
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.
The Roadrunners opened the game with a 14-2 run, putting the Blazers on their heels right away. However, UAB was able to jump right back in it with a 19-4 run, taking the lead.
UTSA finished the half strong, jumping ahead by six at the break by a 41-35 mark. Japhet Medor led the way for the hosts with 13 first half points, matching Walker.
Once again, UTSA started the half quickly. The Roadrunners pushed the lead to 11 before the first media timeout after John Buggs III knocked down a three. Jordan Walker picked up his fourth foul with 15 minutes to go in the second half, forcing him to the bench.
A 9-0 UAB run midway through the second half was sparked by Ty Brewer and Tony Toney. The duo forced a pair of turnovers and turned them into transition dunks, cutting the UTSA lead to just one.
The Roadrunners would not go away, rebuilding their lead back to seven points with six minutes remaining. This time, Jordan Walker and KJ Buffen helped UAB go on a 13-2 run to take a four-point lead with two minutes remaining, the Blazers largest lead to that point.
As soon as the Blazers took the 75-71 lead, Medor drilled a three-pointer to make it a one-point game. Leading 77-74, Walker drained a three pointer with the shot clock winding down at the 1:02 mark to give the Blazers a six-point lead.
Still, the hosts would not go away. UTSA cut the lead back down to just two points with under 30 seconds remaining and the Roadrunners got the ball back trailing only by three with 18 seconds on the clock. The Blazers were able to get a crucial stop and Walker hit each of his free throws with five seconds to go, giving UAB the 83-78 victory.
NOTES
- Andy Kennedy has led UAB to 20 or more wins in each of his three seasons in Birmingham.
- The Blazers finished with fewer than 10 offensive rebounds for the first time this season (9).
- UTSA's 42 rebounds are the most that the Blazers have allowed in regulation this season.
- After starting the second half 1-for-5 from the field, UAB shot .818 (18-22) over the final 16:21.
- The Blazers turned the ball over only six times, a season low.
- Jordan Walker finished with 25 points for his fourth-straight 20-point effort.
- He scored the Blazers' final 10 points over the final 2:14 in the second half.
- Ty Brewer finished in double figures for the fourth-straight game after recording only four double-digit efforts over his first 23 games this season.
- Brewer grabbed seven boards, including five on the offensive end.
- KJ Buffen scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half. He shot 6-for-9 from the field, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
UP NEXT
The Blazers will take on Rice on Thursday, Feb. 23 for Senior Night. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bartow Arena.
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.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are now available starting as low as $110. Season ticket packages will feature all home games during UAB's inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. Fans may renew season tickets, purchase new season tickets or request more information on season ticket options here. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
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.
Team Stats
UAB
UTSA
FG%
.484
.435
3FG%
.438
.348
FT%
.609
.667
RB
30
42
TO
6
12
STL
5
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Guard
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