UAB Falls to First Place North Texas 71-64

BIRMINGHAM – Tavin Lovan led all players with 17 points, but first place North Texas was able to come away with a 71-64 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Jalen Benjamin added 14 points, Makhtar Gueye scored all 11 of his points in the second half and Tyreek Scott-Grayson contributed 10 for the Blazers (14-11, 5-7 C-USA).

Javion Hamlet, Umoja Gibson and James Reese all recorded double-figure scoring for the Mean Green (16-9, 10-2 C-USA).

After North Texas opened up the game with a 3-pointer, UAB would go on a 9-0 run and would hold the lead until the 8:41 mark of the first half. The Mean Green would go ahead for 4:27 until Benjamin’s 3-pointer put the Blazers up 22-21 at 6:01. The game would see a pair of ties and five lead changes as the North Texas  took a 37-34 lead into halftime.

By the midpoint mark of the second half, the game had five more lead changes and three ties. With the game deadlocked at 60-60 with 3:43 to go, UNT scored the next five points to go ahead for good.

Gueye’s and-1 with 30 seconds remaining made the score 67-64. North Texas was fouled on the ensuing possession and made both foul shots with 20 seconds to go. Benjamin’s 3-pointer with 14 seconds did not fall as the Mean Green closed out the scoring with two free throws.

The Blazer defense forced 13 turnover that resulted in 22 points. UAB outscored UNT 32-26 in the paint.

UAB’s remains at home for a Wednesday night matchup with Middle Tennessee. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. The game is part of The Mike Slive Foundation Block Cancer initiative which raises awareness for prostate cancer.


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.

Group packages are also available for 20 or more and provide your friends or co-workers an opportunity to save money while taking advantage of special fan experiences to any home basketball game. To purchase group tickets or inquire about opportunities for the 2019-20 season, please contact Chris Curtis at (205) 934-3172 or ccurtis2@uab.edu.