BIRMINGHAM – Tavin Lovan and Quan Jackson each scored a season-high 22 points in UAB’s 89-64 victory over Tuskegee on Wednesday night at Bartow Arena.
Michael Ertel added 14 points and Kassim Nicholson 10 for the Blazers who start out the season 5-0 for only the second time in program history. Trey Jemison, who entered the game fourth in the nation in blocks, turned away four Tuskegee shots.
Gregg Boyd led the Golden Tigers (0-1) with 20 points.
The Blazers led wire-to-wire and held Tuskegee scoreless for the first 3:07 of the first half. With UAB leading 19-15 at the 8:07 mark, a pair of free throws by Jackson, one from Lovan and a jumper by Ertel gave the Blazers their largest lead of the half at nine points, 24-15. That lead would be matched when Lovan’s layup at the buzzer made the score 35-26 heading into halftime.
Lovan’s 3-pointer opened the scoring in the second half, giving UAB its first double-digit lead of the game at 37-26. Their advantage would increase to 14 after Rongie Gordon’s free throw made the score 43-29.
However, a 21-10 run by Tuskegee made it a one possession contest at the midway point of the half when Martez Jones’ jumper got the Tigers within three points at 53-50. UAB would respond with a 12-1 run over the next 2:04 to take a 65-51 advantage.
Jalen Benjamin’s 3-pointer at 3:11 gave the Blazers their first 20+ point lead at 82-60. His second trey of the evening with 34 seconds left gave UAB their largest lead of the game at 26 points, 89-63.
As a team, the Blazers shot a season-best 56%, making 28-of-50 attempts. Lovan was 5-of-7, Jackson 7-of-14 and Nicholson made all four of his field goal attempts.
UAB dominated in the paint, outscoring Tuskegee 42-16. The Blazers had 20 fast break points and 22 points off Tigers’ turnovers.
“Tavin Lovan, as a down-hill driver, he’s as good as there is in our league,” said head coach Andy Kennedy. “He should be getting to foul line eight or nine times a game with his size. Tonight, he took it to the extreme. He gets to the free throw line 15 times, makes 12 and finished 5-of-7 from the field with five rebounds. I thought he was the MVP tonight.”
Lovan’s 12 free throws and 15 attempts from the line were both career-highs.
“A lot of different guys contributed tonight. We made some really good plays at the end, especially Quan and Tyreek. Jalen knocked down two big threes. And great minutes in the second half from Kassim Nicholson and Rongie Gordon, who came in and played a season-high 20 minutes. He’s going to continue to get better.”
The Blazers will head to Johnson City, Tenn. for their first road contest of the year against East Tennessee State (1-2) on Saturday. Tipoff is schedule for 3 p.m.
GAME NOTES
- This game was announced Tuesday afternoon after the original opponent, the University of Mobile, canceled because of COVID-19 concerns
- The only other UAB team to begin the season 5-0 was Gene Bartow’s 1983-84 program
- Tyreek Scott-Grayson made his first start of the season
- Jackson recorded his 1,200th career point tonight
- Gordon tied his career-high with five rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench
MEN’S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
In compliance with CDC and state and local public health guidance, UAB adjusted the seating manifest to adhere to social distancing at Bartow Arena for the 2020-21 season. UAB reallocated season ticket holders who had completed their purchase of season tickets through October 19 and placed season ticket holders based on Blazer Boosters Priority Points and the price type of tickets purchased. As a reminder, original season ticket locations prior to the social distancing reallocation will be utilized for 2021-22 renewals or if capacity restrictions change during the 2020-21 season.
Due to social distancing guidelines, men’s basketball single game tickets and walk up sales are not be available to the public for the 2020-21 season.
Fans interested in season tickets are encouraged to fill out the season ticket request form or contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1. A member of the UAB Athletics Sales and Service team will be in touch if capacity restrictions are lifted or when 2021-22 season tickets become available.
