BIRMINGHAM – Playing for the first time in 20 days, the UAB men’s basketball team returned to the floor on Friday evening and earned a 72-60 wire-to-wire victory over Southern Miss. This was the Blazers’ first Conference USA game of the season.
Jalen Benjamin led all scorers with 17 points for UAB (8-1, 1-0 C-USA). Michael Ertel and Tyreek Scott-Grayson added 16 points apiece. Kassim Nicholson scored all 11 of his points in the 1st half. Trey Jemison led the Blazers with eight rebounds.
Tae Hardy scored a team-high 16 points for the Golden Eagles (5-5, 1-2 C-USA).
Scott-Grayson opened the scoring in the 1st half with a 3-pointer which sparked an early 10-2 run, capped by seven straight points by Nicholson. A Jemison layup at 14:40 gave the Blazers its first double-digit lead at 16-6.
Hardy’s 3-pointer at 5:34 ended a 20-8 run and got the Golden Eagles within a basket at 28-26.
UAB’s final four field goals of the half were 3-pointers as they took a 40-31 lead into halftime.
Ertel scored the first five points of the 2nd half, putting the Blazers ahead by 14 points at 45-31. UAB’s largest lead of the game was 15 points after a Benjamin jumper capped a 14-4 run, making the score 64-49 at 6:27. The Blazers would have a double-figure lead the rest of the way, holding USM to only two field goals in the final 4:02.
The Blazers recorded a season-high 10 3-pointers, four of those from Scott-Grayson. UAB also tied their season-high with 15 assists.
“This was a solid victory in the conference opener for us,” said head coach Andy Kennedy. “We were pretty aggressive offensively on the open floor. Trey and Kassim were keeping balls alive for us which led to second chance points.”
UAB finished the game with 13 offensive rebounds and 19 second chance points.
“Kassim was a very active force coming up with loose balls. He really stepped up and filled some of that void for us in a very big way.”
Nicholson had three steals and six rebounds.
“Right now, it’s about taking care of their bodies. Hydrating, fueling, resting. It’s a 4 p.m. tip tomorrow, so they’ll have time to get rest. The coaches will watch tape, make some subtle adjustments and by 4 o’clock, we’ll be ready to roll. For us tomorrow, we’ll learn a lot about our team.”
The Blazers close out the weekend series with the Golden Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is at 4 p.m. The game will be streamed through ESPN+. This is a subscription-based service. Click here to register a new account.
GAME NOTESScott-Grayson’s 16 points was his season-highErtel has scored in double-figures in all nine games this seasonNicholson and Jemison each had a career-best three stealsUAB leads the all-time series 33-19 and 19-6 in Birmingham
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.
TICKET TRANSFER
Season ticket holders that cannot make it to the game are encouraged to transfer their game tickets. Click here (PDF) to learn more on how to transfer your tickets to a friend.
