BIRMINGHAM – Quan Jackson scored a game-high 18 points as UAB improved to 2-0 during the Andy Kennedy era in the Blazers’ 84-59 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday afternoon.
Jalen Benjamin added 16 points off the bench, Tavin Lovan scored 14 and Michael Ertel 10 in the victory. Trey Jemison scored a career-high 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
Jackson and Lovan each had a game-high eight rebounds.
Jamon Kemp was the only SLU player to record double-figures as he scored 12 points for the Lions, who fall to 0-2.
With the score tied at 11-11 at the 9:31 mark of the 1st half, UAB went on a 15-1 run over the next 4:32 to take a 14-point advantage at 26-12. From there, SLU would only convert one more field goal in the half.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from Benjamin gave the Blazers a 32-14 advantage at 2:59 before five straight points from Jackson and a Jemison layup made the score 39-14 with 1:37 remaining.
The Blazers lead would become 28 points at 43-15 after consecutive dunks from Jemison and Tyreek Scott-Grayson. The Lions’ Keon Clergeot would close out the half with a pair of free throws to make the score 43-17 at the break.
Jackson’s dunk at 13:30 of the 2nd half capped a, 18-9 run that gave the Blazers its largest lead of the game at 36 points, 62-26. UAB would hold another 36-point lead at 12:37 when Kassim Nicholson’s 3-pointer made the score 65-29.
After beginning the game 5-of-23 from the floor, the Blazers finished shooting 53% (35-of-66), with Benjamin, Jackson and Lovan all shooting over 50%. UAB dominated inside, scoring 52 points in the paint to SLU’s 34.
“I thought Trey Jemison was tremendous in his efforts tonight and Jalen continues to be our most efficient offensive player,” Kennedy said. “And I don’t know what more we could ask from Quan Jackson. He leads us in most every category.”
Jemison was a +32 today while Benjamin has not committed a turnover yet this season. Jackson leads the Blazers in minutes (62), steals (8), rebounds (17) and field goals (14).
Up next, the Blazers host Kennesaw State on Dec. 2. The Owls (2-0) have had convincing wins over Carver (87-40) and Toccoa Falls (106-44) heading into Wednesday’s contest. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES Jemison’s previous career-high was 10 points against Alabama A&M on Nov. 21, 2019Ertel recorded his 1,400th career point this afternoonKennedy improves to 13-0 vs. Southland teams all-time and 2-0 versus Southeastern LouisianaThis was the best 1st half defensive performance since Nov. 26, 2017 when the Blazers only yielded 16 points against Mississippi CollegeThis was the best 1st half defensive performance against another D-I school when UAB held Southern Miss to 16 points on Jan. 28, 2017
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