Buffen Leads UAB MBB to Opening Round Win

Tuesday, March 14

Birmingham, Ala.

6:30 p.m.

UAB

-269,146 CUSA

Southern Miss

25-8,14-4Sun Belt

Southern Miss.

UAB

Buffen Leads UAB MBB to Opening Round Win

3/14/2023 11:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Presser

BIRMINGHAM – KJ Buffen finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds as UAB men's basketball (26-9, 14-6 C-USA) moved on to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament with a 88-60 win over Southern Miss (25-8, 14-4 C-USA). Andy Kennedy picked up his 75^th win at UAB in his third season in Birmingham.

The Blazers struggled with turnovers early in the first half, turning it over 11 times over the first 15 minutes. With the game tied at 26, UAB went on an 11-0 run over 1:25 sparked by a pair of threes from Jordan Walker and Ledarrius Brewer.

Southern Miss closed the margin to end the first half. Austin Crowley's three with two seconds to go put the UAB lead at 41-38 at the break.

Early in the second half, UAB separated from the Golden Eagles with a 17-2 run over seven minutes. The only USM points came from a pair of free throws while KJ Buffen scored eight of the Blazers' points over the stretch.

Buffen scored 15 of his 26 points in the second half while shooting 6-for-7 from the field over the final 20 minutes. The UAB defense held the Golden Eagles to only 22 points in the second half and 7-for-30 shooting. The Blazers pulled away for an 88-60 win to open NIT play.

NOTES

UAB won its first NIT game since 2010.
Andy Kennedy picked up his 75^th win at UAB.
KJ Buffen scored a career high 26 points while grabbing 12 rebounds.
Trey Jemison scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds with three blocks.
Jordan Walker finished with 16 points while hitting three 3-pointers.
Walker has reached 129 threes this season, the second-most in UAB history.
His 672 points are fourth in UAB history.

UP NEXT
The Blazers will face the winner of No. 1 seed Clemson and Morehead State this weekend with the date and time to be determined.

2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
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.

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