With 11:04 left I the game, UAB’s Tyreke Locure shot a jumper and Josh LeBlanc put it in the basket to give UAB their third dunk of the game.
The Blazers defeated Alabama A&M 86-41 behind a second half blowout.
UAB started slow in the first half with 30 points before halftime before exploding in the second half for 56 points. This was a strong three-point shooting game for the Blazers with UAB going 13-26 from the three-point line.
UAB’s Jamal Johnson led all scorers with 15 points off five three-pointers. The Auburn transfer by far surpassed his season scoring average of 3.8 points per game.
“The first few games I feel like I’ve been struggling with my shots so I’m glad I found it. I kept believing in myself,” Johnson said. “Coach Kennedy does a great job helping me believe in myself and giving me confidence. I just want to be the best I can be for my team.”
Quan Jackson performed strong in the second half scoring 10 points of his 14 points on the day.
Jordan Walker opened the game with a three-pointer for the Blazers within the first minute of the game. UAB held that lead for the first five minutes of the game.
UAB lost their lead when Alabama A&M’s Garrett Hicks and Jalen Johnson made back-to-back baskets. UAB’s Johnson saved the Blazers in the first half making five three-pointers.
Walker started the second half for the Blazers with a jumper followed by a three-pointer.
The Blazer offense took off after the break. In the second half, Michael Ertel put up 11 points, Jordan Walker scored seven and KJ Buffen added six.
Alabama A&M ended the game with a basket by Brandon Powell. The Bulldogs were 8-8 from the free throw line.
UAB head coach Andy Kennedy said that he’s not proud of their first half performance but they showed up in the second half.
“First have we struggled, we shot pretty poorly at 33% and we only scored 30 points. This team we’re averaging mid to upper 80s,” Kennedy said. “I don’t know if that is a realistic number with a 30-plus team schedule, but we have to be in the mid-70s every game to give us a chance against the type people we’re trying to beat so 30 in the first half was disappointing, and if it wasn’t for Jamal, we would have really struggled.”
UAB will head to the Las Vegas Invitational over Thanksgiving for two games. The first game against New Mexico is on Nov. 25 and tips off at 6 p.m on FS1. The Blazers will play a second game the following day against either San Francisco or Towson.
