UAB MBB Overcomes Slow Start to Sink Vanderbilt, Advance to NIT Semifinals

Wednesday, March 22

Nashville, TN

6 p.m.

UAB

-289,146 CUSA

Vanderbilt

22-15,11-7SEC

UAB

Vanderbilt

UAB MBB Overcomes Slow Start to Sink Vanderbilt, Advance to NIT Semifinals

3/22/2023 10:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NASHVILLE – After shooting only 25.8 percent from the field in the first half, UAB men's basketball (28-9, 14-6 C-USA) picked up a program-record 28^th win on the road at Vanderbilt (22-15, 11-7 SEC) by a score of 67-59. Jordan Walker reached 698 points for the season, a new UAB program record.

UAB found itself behind at the end of the first half after shooting a dismal .258 (8-31) from the field. Leading scorer Jordan Walker shot only 1-for-10 in the first half and 0-for-5 from behind the three-point line. Despite the struggles on the offensive end, UAB trailed only 27-24 at the half.

Walker hit his first three of the night early in the second half to give UAB a 30-29 lead. He scored seven points in under three minutes to give the Blazers a needed spark on the offensive end. Jelly scored 19 points and dished out five assists in the second half alone.

Trey Jemison was a force inside in the second half. Jemison scored 13 of his 17 points over the final 20 minutes. He dominated on the boards all night, grabbing a game high 12 rebounds.

The Blazers found a rhythm on the offensive end in the second half, shooting .485 (16-33) from the field over the final 20 minutes.

With less than one minute to go, the Commodores cut the UAB lead to just 59-57 after Wright knocked down a three from the corner. On the inbounds play, Walker was able to break away from the defense, get into the open court and throw a lob to Trey Jemison for a crucial alley-oop. A jump ball on the ensuing possession gave the ball back to UAB and Walker knocked down a pair of free throws to make it a six-point game.

Eric Gaines knocked down a pair of free throws with seven seconds to go to put the score at 67-59 where it would finish. The Blazers earned their 28th win of the season, the most in program history. UAB finishes the season 3-0 against SEC competition.

NOTES

The Blazers set a new single season program record with 28 wins.
UAB finished the season 3-0 against SEC competition.
The Blazers picked up their first road win against an SEC foe since 2010 against Arkansas.
Jordan Walker has reached 698 points this season, a new program record.
Walker scored 21 points, grabbed a career high seven rebounds and dished out seven assists.
Trey Jemison recorded his 11th double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Blazers will take on Utah Valley on Tuesday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. CT in Las Vegas at Orleans Arena. The game will air on ESPN2.

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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