BIRMINGHAM – Will Butler recorded his first career double-double of 16 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in UAB’s 88-80 victory over Marshall on Thursday night. The 88 points was the Blazers’ season-high.
UAB (17-12, 8-8 C-USA) was led by Tyreek Scott-Grayson, who scored 14 of his team-high 19 points in the first half. Jalen Benjamin added 14 points, Tavin Lovan 12 and Kassim Nicholson 10 off the bench for UAB.
Taevion Kinsey scored a game-high 22 points for Marshall (14-15, 8-8 C-USA).
The first 14 minutes of play saw seven lead changes and five ties. Scott-Grayson’s jumper at 5:57 started a 12-2 run that put UAB ahead 44-34 with 3:05 left in the first half. The Herd cut the lead to four points before Butler’s layup sent the game into halftime with the Blazers leading 48-42.
With UAB ahead 57-53 at the 14:51 mark of the second half, Makhtar Gueye’s free throw sparked a 12-3 run to put the Blazers up by 13 at the midway point of the half, 69-56. A 3-pointer by Benjamin gave UAB its largest lead of the game at 18 points, 76-58 with 6:15 remaining.
Marshall battled back as Kinsey’s 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining made it a two possession game at 84-78, but the Blazers defense would force two straight empty possessions while Benjamin made a pair free throws followed by a Butler dunk.
“Our offense came to play tonight,” said head coach Robert Ehsan. “We have been getting better offensively and scoring 88 points, especially in conference play against a Marshall team who is one of the top five defensive teams in the league, is a big time performance.”
“In the second half, we had active hands and the rebounding numbers are astonishing. Antonio Ralat and Tavin had six, Tyreek with eight. A lot of guys got their hands on the ball tonight,” added Ehsan.
UAB out-rebounded Marshall 49-33.
Next up, the Blazers return to San Antonio to face UTSA (12-16, 6-9 C-USA) on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Roadrunners are coming off an 80-71 loss against Florida Atlantic earlier tonight.
NOTES
- Butler’s 11 rebounds ties the most this season for the Blazers – Scott-Grayson and Tamell Pearson both had 11 against Marshall (Jan. 11) and Thomas (Dec. 28) respectively
- Butler also recorded five offensive rebounds for the third time this season
- UAB’s 31 field goals, 34 FT attempts and 48 first half points were all season-highs
- The Blazers have won four straight over the Thundering Herd and seven in a row at Bartow Arena
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