UAB MBB Outlasts No. 20 Florida Atlantic in Overtime

Thursday, February 8

Birmingham, Ala.

8 p.m.

UAB

15-8,7-3AAC

Florida Atlantic

18-5,8-2AAC

OT 1

Fla. Atlantic

UAB

Photo by: Sully Ortega

UAB MBB Outlasts No. 20 Florida Atlantic in Overtime

2/9/2024 12:31:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Presser: Andy Kennedy Postgame Presser: Yaxel Lendeborg

BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball (15-8, 7-3 AAC) outlasted No. 20 Florida Atlantic (18-5, 8-2 AAC) on Thursday night at Bartow Arena, sinking the Owls by a score of 76-73. Efrem "Butta" Johnson hit a three with 31 seconds to go in OT to put the game out of reach. UAB has two wins over AP Top 25 teams for the first time since 2009-10.

Yaxel Lendeborg led the Blazers with 17 points and grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds, the second-most in UAB history for a single game. His 21 boards are tied for the second-most in a Division I game this season and tied for third in a single game in American Conference history.

The Owls looked to take control late in the first half as a 13-3 FAU run gave the visitors a 39-30 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the period. Eric Gaines closed the half with a floater in the lane to cut the margin to seven before the break.

The Blazers stormed out of the locker room in the second half, taking the lead after just five minutes on a Christian Coleman jumper. A 10-0 run for UAB put the Blazers on top 48-44 at the 13:11 mark.

Alejandro Vasquez gave UAB its largest lead of the night with just over five minutes to go with a layup, but that was quickly answered by a Johnell Davis three only 12 seconds later.

The back-and-forth continued to the final moments of regulation. The Owls took the lead at the 1:34 mark on a Vlad Goldin bucket before Alejandro Vasquez answered with a putback on the next possession to tie it up.

The Blazers got a stop on the ensuing FAU possession, but UAB could not capitalize on its final offensive possession. The Owls had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but the pass to the rim flew just too high, sending the game to overtime.

UAB scored the first six points of overtime, sparked by Christian Coleman. Coleman hit a midrange jumper to put the Blazers up by four and then got past Goldin for a reverse layup to increase the lead to six. The Owls quickly answered with a three to cut the lead in half.

With the clock at 1:46 after the FAU three, the Blazers were able to gather a pair of offensive rebounds on the ensuing possession and hold the ball for over a minute. Johnson capped the possession with a deep three from the logo to put UAB in a position to win.

A missed free throw gave the Owls a chance to tie it before the buzzer, but each attempt missed, giving UAB the 76-73 win.

NOTES

The Blazers picked up two wins over ranked opponents in the same season for the first time since 2009-10.
Yaxel Lendeborg posted an all-time performance for the Blazers with 17 points and 21 rebounds. His 21 boards rank second in program history, tied for second in DI this season, and tied for third in American Conference history.
Eric Gaines added 16 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two blocks.
Christian Coleman matched his career high of 14 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Alejandro Vasquez scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds, including four offensive boards.
Efrem "Butta" Johnson scored 14 points, including a huge three with 30 seconds to go in overtime.
Andy Kennedy holds a 58-9 record at home since becoming the UAB head coach.

UP NEXT
The Blazers will travel to Tulsa on Sunday, Feb. 11 to face the Golden Hurricane. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.

TICKET INFORMATION
Single game tickets are on sale for as low as $12. Follow this link or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more information.

GROUP AND PREMIUM TICKETS
Individual and corporate groups can plan an unforgettable experience during any of UAB's 18 home events this season by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Fan experience packages and discounted group tickets are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences at Bartow Arena are available at any home basketball game on a first come, first served basis throughout the season.

In addition, a limited number of premium seating options also remain at Bartow Arena and provides fans and corporations the ability to enjoy the exclusive amenities offered at Bartow Arena while experiencing the action from midcourt views. Call Blazer Boosters at (205) 996-9969 to learn more.

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