Johnson’s Late Game Heroics Lift UAB over UTSA in AAC Opener

Tuesday, January 2

San Antonio, TX

8 p.m.

UAB

9-5,1-0AAC

UTSA

6-8,0-1AAC

UAB

UTSA

Johnson’s Late Game Heroics Lift UAB over UTSA in AAC Opener

1/3/2024 12:49:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM – Efrem "Butta" Johnson hit a jumper with two seconds to go to lift UAB men's basketball (9-5, 1-0 AAC) over UTSA (6-8, 0-1 AAC) by a score of 78-76. Johnson scored the Blazers' last 10 points over the final 3:29 of the game.

Yaxel Lendeborg put together another standout performance for the Blazers with 23 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks. After beginning his career 1-for-9 from beyond the arc, Lendeborg went 5-for-6 from three against the Roadrunners.

Neither team led by more than six points throughout the game. The Blazers opened the game hitting six threes in the first half, but only shooting only 27 percent from inside the arc. UTSA took a five-point lead with 3:24 to go in the first half, but the Blazers used a late 9-2 run to take the lead in the final minute before the Roadrunners hit a three to retake the lead at the break.

The Roadrunners took a six-point lead at the 9:12 mark in the second half. Lendeborg and Johnson then knocked down a pair of threes to tie it back up.

Trailing by one point at the 1:17 mark, Johnson drove to the rim and got a layup to go for a three-point play to put the Blazers on top 74-72. After the Roadrunners tied it up, Johnson then hit a jumper at the 40 second mark to regain the lead. UTSA then hit a pair of free throws to tie it at 76 with 25 seconds remaining. The Blazers went back to Johnson in the final seconds and the sophomore guard delivered with the game winner as UAB took the win, 78-76.

NOTES

The Blazers picked up their first American Conference win in their debut game in the league.
Yaxel Lendeborg scored 23 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked a career-high seven shots for his fifth double-double of the season.
Lendeborg's seven blocks are the most by a Blazer since November 17, 2016.
Efrem "Butta" Johnson scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half while scoring each of UAB's last 10 points.
Eric Gaines added 10 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals. With his game-opening three, he surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career.
The Blazers hit a season high 11 three-pointers.
UAB finished with a season high 20 turnovers.

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