Led by 32 points, 11 rebounds and five assists from Tavin Lovan, UAB’s men basketball team completed the sweep over Rice 86-74 in this year’s edition of the Bartow Classic.
UAB got off to a strong start, leading the game 18-7. Rice briefly took the lead off a 16-2 run, but the Blazers outscored the Owls by 15 to close the half and put them up 11 at halftime.
Poor shooting from the Blazers coming out of halftime allowed Rice to catch up and cut the margin to one, but the Owls never retook the lead. UAB’s shooters warmed up and finished the game strong with a 12-point victory.
The Blazer offense looked the strongest it has been in all of Conference USA play, shooting 47.7 and scoring the most points in a game so far in conference play. Points off turnovers boosted this UAB team, notching 23 to Rice’s three. Those fast break were not something Rice was able to pick up, earning zero to UAB’s 20.
“When we needed to make plays, I thought we made them,” said head coach Andy Kennedy.
Lovan’s 32 points are the most scored by a UAB player in a single game since Chad Frazier put up 32 against Nebraska in 2013.
“I have a feeling this is a jump-off for [Lovan] to be the tough player that he’s already capable of being,” said Kennedy. “He was impressive from tap to finish, and he will be the Conference USA player of the week.”
Tyreek Scott-Grayson scored 18, the most he’s had as a UAB player. And Quan Jackson scored ten in his second game back.
For the Owls, Quincy Olivari led with 21 points and four rebounds before fouling out at the 3:33 mark. Max Fiedler picked up a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Riley Abercrombie added 15 points.
The Blazers were outrebounded but still took 13 more shots than Rice.
This game was the Bartow Classic held annually in honor of former UAB basketball Gene Bartow since 2009. For Kennedy, a former player under Bartow, this is his first game as a coach at the Bartow Classic.
“I coach for the standard that coach Bartow set every game,” said Kennedy. “He’s the reason this program is what it is, and I have first-hand experience of what he’s capable of.”
With the win, UAB moves to 12-2 on the season and 5-1 in Conference USA play. The Blazers remain the top team in the Conference USA West division.
UAB men’s basketball returns to play at Middle Tennessee Thursday, January 28.
