Jefferson Reporter

UAB MBB Overcomes Slow Start to Sink Vanderbilt, Advance to NIT Semifinals

 After shooting only 25.8 percent from the field in the first half, UAB men's basketball (28-9, 14-6 C-USA) picked up a program-record 28th win on the road at Vanderbilt (22-15, 11-7 SEC) by a score of 67-59. Jordan Walker reached 698 points for the season, a new UAB program record.

UAB found itself behind at the end of the first half after shooting a dismal .258 (8-31) from the field. Leading scorer Jordan Walker shot only 1-for-10 in the first half and 0-for-5 from behind the three-point line. Despite the struggles on the offensive end, UAB trailed only 27-24 at the half.

Walker hit his first three of the night early in the second half to give UAB a 30-29 lead. He scored seven points in under three minutes to give the Blazers a needed spark on the offensive end. Jelly scored 19 points and dished out five assists in the second half alone.

Trey Jemison was a force inside in the second half. Jemison scored 13 of his 17 points over the final 20 minutes. He dominated on the boards all night, grabbing a game high 12 rebounds.

The Blazers found a rhythm on the offensive end in the second half, shooting .485 (16-33) from the field over the final 20 minutes.

With less than one minute to go, the Commodores cut the UAB lead to just 59-57 after Wright knocked down a three from the corner. On the inbounds play, Walker was able to break away from the defense, get into the open court and throw a lob to Trey Jemison for a crucial alley-oop. A jump ball on the ensuing possession gave the ball back to UAB and Walker knocked down a pair of free throws to make it a six-point game.

Eric Gaines knocked down a pair of free throws with seven seconds to go to put the score at 67-59 where it would finish. The Blazers earned their 28th win of the season, the most in program history. UAB finishes the season 3-0 against SEC competition.

NOTES

• The Blazers set a new single season program record with 28 wins.
• UAB finished the season 3-0 against SEC competition.
• The Blazers picked up their first road win against an SEC foe since 2010 against Arkansas.
• Jordan Walker has reached 698 points this season, a new program record.
• Walker scored 21 points, grabbed a career high seven rebounds and dished out seven assists.
• Trey Jemison recorded his 11th double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Blazers will take on Utah Valley on Tuesday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. CT in Las Vegas at Orleans Arena. The game will air on ESPN2.

Original source can be found here