Blazers Down South Florida in Bartow Classic

Sunday, February 16

Birmingham, Ala.

3 p.m.

UAB

16-9,9-3AAC

South Florida

12-14,5-8AAC

South Fla.

UAB

Photo by: Ken Shepherd

Blazers Down South Florida in Bartow Classic

2/16/2025 7:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Presser

BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball (16-9, 9-3 AAC) downed South Florida (12-14, 5-8 AAC) on Sunday afternoon in the Bartow Classic by a score of 85-78.

Yaxel Lendeborg scored 21 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked six shots while Ja'Borri McGhee scored 20 points and had three assists to lead the Blazers to the win.

The lead changed hands 12 times in the first seven minutes of the contest as both teams traded buckets. McGhee and Alejandro Vasquez got the Blazers going on the offensive end.

McGhee scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half for the Blazers after being held scoreless in Tuesday's loss to East Carolina. Vasquez started the game 4-for-4 from the field scoring 11 points early to help UAB build a lead.

UAB took its largest lead of the first half right before the buzzer as Yaxel Lendeborg tipped in his own miss to go ahead 47-37 at the break.

The Blazers had a sluggish start to the second half as the Bulls went on a 9-3 run over the first four minutes. After a timeout, Ja'Borri McGhee picked up where he left off, getting to the rim for a layup to make it 52-46.

McGhee's free throw with 12:24 remaining gave UAB its largest lead of the night at 64-52, but a 7-0 run by the Bulls quickly brought the game back within reach.

Efrem "Butta" Johnson hit a pair of crucial three-pointers down the stretch for the Blazers. The first came with 5:17 to go in the first half and UAB clinging to a four-point lead as USF began to grab momentum. The second came with UAB holding only a three-point lead with 3:13 remaining to make it 77-71.

The Bulls' defensive pressure forced a UAB turnover with 48 seconds remaining and Brandon Stroud knocked down a three to cut the UAB lead to 79-74 with 42 seconds to go. UAB then missed the front end of the 1-and-1 opportunity and a USF bucket with 31 seconds left made it 79-76.

On the next possession, Johnson was able to knock down a pair of free throws for the Blazers before USF responded with two free throws of its own with 23 seconds left to make it 81-78.

UAB was able to break the USF pressure on the final two possessions for a pair of dunks from Tony Toney and Efrem "Butta" Johnson as the Blazers held on for an 85-78 win.

NOTES

Yaxel Lendeborg scored 21 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked six shots in the win while passing Carlos Williams for the most double-doubles in UAB history.
Lendeborg moved into ninth on the UAB all-time rebounding list with 641 rebounds, passing Stanley Jackson.
His 19 rebounds are tied for the sixth most in a single-game in UAB history. Lendeborg has three of the top ten single-game rebounding performances in program history and is one of two players (Will Campbell) to appear on the list multiple times.
Lendeborg also moved into No. 10 on the UAB single-season rebounding list with 271 rebounds this season. He holds the single-season record of 370 that he set last season.
Ja'Borri McGhee scored 20 points for his second-highest point total of the season and his most against a Division I opponent while shooting 7-for-9 from the field.
Efrem "Butta" Johnson scored 11 points, all in the second half, including two crucial threes.
The Blazers' 11 blocks on Sunday are their most since December 14, 2021 against Grambling State.
UAB moves to 43-21 all-time against the Bulls with six-straight wins in the series.

UP NEXT
The Blazers will travel to Rice to face the Owls on Wednesday, February 19 at 7 p.m. CT.

GROUP RATES AND FAN EXPERIENCE PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE
Individual and corporate groups can plan an unforgettable experience during any of UAB's home events at Bartow Arena 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.

Group ticket packages provide your family, friends, or company the opportunity to save money on the single game ticket price while providing access to memorable fan experiences at Bartow Arena. Discounted group rates are available for both men's and women's basketball games and pricing is based on the size of the pre-purchased group. This season, UAB Athletics is offering unique fan experiences for groups including a spirit tunnel, sideline warm-up watch, group photo at center court, post-game free throws, and videoboard recognition, among others. Click here for a complete listing of the group rates, group benefits, and fan experience packages offered.

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