Blazers Advance Past Wichita State with Late Surge

Friday, March 15

Fort Worth, Texas

2 p.m.

UAB

21-11,12-6AAC

Wichita State

15-19,5-13AAC

Wichita St.

UAB

Photo by: Mario Terrana

Blazers Advance Past Wichita State with Late Surge

3/15/2024 7:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Press Conference

FORT WORTH, Texas – UAB men's basketball (21-11, 12-5 AAC) advanced past Wichita State (15-19, 5-13 AAC) in the quarterfinals of the American Conference Tournament with a 72-60 win over the Shockers.

Yaxel Lendeborg led the way with 18 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks while Daniel Ortiz stepped up late in the game with 16 points while shooting 4-for-7 from beyond the arc.

Both teams struggled from the field in the first half as the Blazers shot only 36.8 percent from the field while the Shockers held a 36.7 mark. The margin did not increase past a one-possession game for the entire first half.

Christian Coleman made his first start since December 9 at Arkansas State and delivered with 10 points and five rebounds in the first half. He scored the Blazers' first six points to get the team out of a rocky start.

The Blazers led 33-31 at the break after Eric Gaines knocked down a pair of free throws with three seconds to go.

UAB took the first multi-possession lead of the game on the first possession of the second half as Efrem "Butta" Johnson hit a midrange jumper.

The Shockers took their first lead of the second half on a pair of Xavier Bell free throws, but the Blazers responded immediately. On the next possession, Johnson knocked down a three while drawing a foul and Yaxel Lendeborg grabbed the offensive rebound on the free throw and hit a pair of free throws after he was fouled.

Daniel Ortiz hit a three on the next possession to put UAB ahead at 63-54 with 4:21 remaining in the game, the Blazers largest lead of the night. Ortiz put the game away with just over a minute to go with a three in the corner to put UAB on top, 72-60, where the score would remain.

UAB advances to the American Conference Tournament semifinals on Saturday to face top-seeded South Florida.

NOTES

Yaxel Lendeborg grabbed 14 rebounds to surpass Trey Jemison's 329 rebounds in 2022-23 to become UAB's single season rebounding record holder.
Lendeborg finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for his 17^th double-double of the season, tying Elijah Millsap's program record for a single season.
Daniel Ortiz had his most productive scoring night since December 17 vs. Montevallo with 16 points. He shot 4-for-7 from beyond the arc.
Ortiz scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to help UAB secure the win.
Christian Coleman has scored in double figures in each of the last four games while shooting 63.9 percent from the field.
Eric Gaines moved to No. 5 on the UAB single season steals list with 75 on the year.
Gaines also moved into the top 10 of the UAB single season assists records at 174.
UAB picked up its first win over Wichita State after beginning the all-time series 0-5.
The Blazers have won at least one game in their conference tournament for each of the last eight seasons.

UP NEXT
The Blazers will take on South Florida on Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. CT in Fort Worth. The semifinal contest will air on ESPN2 with Kevin Brown and Jon Crispin on the call.

2024-25 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2024-25 UAB men's basketball season are now available. Season ticket packages will feature all home games during the 2024-25 basketball season and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. Fans may purchase new season tickets or request more information on season ticket options here. Season ticket renewal applications will be available in the coming month leading into the September 1, 2024 men's basketball priority seat deadline. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.

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