FORT WORTH, Texas — Yaxel Lendeborg produced one of the best games in American Men’s Basketball Championship history as No. 3 UAB defeated No. 6 East Carolina, 94-77, in the quarterfinals on Friday evening, March 14 at Dickies arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
With the win, the Blazers (21-11) will face No. 2 North Texas in the semifinals on Saturday, March 15, at 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Lendeborg became the first player to record a 20-point, 20-rebound game in Championship history with 30 points and 20 rebounds. With the 20 rebounds, he also tied the single-game rebound record, matching the mark set by Houston’s J’Wan Roberts against Memphis in the 2013 final. Lendeborg ended the night with 30 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and four blocks.
Tied at nine, Lendeborg, scoring six points, led the UAB on a 10-0 run with 12:22 remaining in the half. The Blazers shot 51.4 percent (19-37) from the floor and went 5-for-14 from the arc in the first half.
The Pirates (19-14) shot 54.8 percent (17-31) from the floor and went 5-for-11 from the arc in the second half. RJ Felton led East Carolina with 31 points, while Jaysh Woodard and Riley Jordan tied with six rebounds.
Lendeborg tied the single-game rebound record with 20. He matches the mark set by Houston’s J’Wan Roberts against Memphis in 2013. He also becomes the first player to record a 30-point, 20-rebound game in an American Championship game. Lendeborg ended the night with 30 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and four blocks.
UAB’s Tony Toney recorded his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Scoring 31 points, Felton finished his career with 1,774 points – the fifth most in American Athletic Conference history.
2025 American Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule
(All Rounds Except First Round Played at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas
First Round | Wednesday, March 12 | Super Pit in Denton, Texas
Game 1: No. 13 Charlotte 64, No. 12 Rice 61 Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Second Round | Thursday, March 13
Game 2: No. 8 Wichita State 73, South Florida 68 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 3: No. 5 Florida Atlantic 64, Charlotte 59 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 4: No. 10 Tulsa 75, No. 7 Temple 71 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 5: No. 6 East Carolina, 70, No. 11 UTSA 65 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Quarterfinals | Friday, March 14
Game 6: No. 1 Memphis 83, No. 8 Wichita State 80 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 7: No. 4 Tulane 83, No. 5 Florida Atlantic 76 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 8: No. 2 North Texas 77, No. 10 Tulsa 59 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 9: No. 3 UAB 94, No. 6 East Carolina 77
Semifinals | Saturday, March 15
Game 10: No. 4 Tulane vs. No. 1 Memphis | 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Game 11: No. 3 UAB vs. No. 2 North Texas | 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Final | Sunday, March 16
Game 12: Game 10 Winner vs Game 11 Winner | 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT | ESPN and ESPN+
