BIRMINGHAM – UAB finished nonconference play with a dominating 82-49 victory over Thomas University on Saturday afternoon at Bartow Arena. Jalen Benjamin led all scorers with 14 points. Jordan Brinson scored a career-high 12 – all on 3-pointers – and Will Butler added 10 for the Blazers (9-4). Tamell Pearson and Tyreek Scott-Grayson pulled down career-highs with 11 and nine rebounds respectively.
Dessan Enzor scored 11 for the Night Hawks (5-8).
The Blazers held the lead for 39 minutes while recording season-high in points (82), field goals (29) and 3-pointers (10).
With UAB ahead by four points at the 12:03 mark of the first half, the Blazers went on a 10-0 run to take a 25-11 lead at 7:52. UAB would hold Thomas without a field goal for the final 6:06 of the half as they built a 44-19 advantage heading into the break.
A Benjamin 3-pointer at 17:19 of the 2nd half gave the Blazers its first 30-point lead at 51-21. UAB would stretch the lead to 45 on a Kassim Nicholson layup that made the score 77-32.
UAB outrebounded Thomas 51-32 and 16-10 on the offensive end. The Blazers had 36 fast break points and assisted on 15 of its 29 field goals, led by Tavin Lovan with a career-high five. UAB’s defense held TU’s leading scorer Joshua Scott to just six points, 10 points under his season average.
“We are playing better offensively and shooting the ball better,” said head coach Robert Ehsan. “Our bench was great today.”
UAB scored 42 and had 14 rebounds off the bench – seven of those boards from Nicholson.
“Tamell and Tyreek were really active on the glass today. Rebounding has always been our strength and we definitely had a size advantage today.”
Next up, Conference USA play begins. UAB will start the first two games on the road beginning with Charlotte on Jan. 2 followed by Old Dominion on Jan. 4.
“Charlotte is better this year. They play a unique offensive style and it is going to be a good challenge. Anytime you go on the road, it is going to be tough.”
The Blazers return home to Bartow Arena on Jan. 9 against WKU.
Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 20 tickets. To inquire about group tickets for the 2019-20 season, please contact Chris Curtis at (205) 934-3172 or ccurtis2@uab.edu.
Along with single game and group tickets which are already on sale, fans now have the option to purchase a four-game mini plan which offers the flexibility of attending any four Conference USA games at Bartow Arena for only $40 in the upper level. The C-USA Pick 4 Mini Plan can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1.
