UAB Blazers Edge Past Roadrunners in a Nail-Biter at Bartow Arena
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers narrowly defeated the Roadrunners with a final score of 54-53. The Blazers now hold a season record of 1-0, while the Roadrunners fall to 0-1.
In an intense matchup at Bartow Arena, the UAB Blazers secured a hard-fought victory over the visiting Roadrunners. The game was characterized by several lead changes and ties, indicating how evenly matched both teams were throughout the contest. Despite trailing in the first half with scores of 10 and 11 in the first two quarters respectively, UAB showed resilience and determination.
The Blazers' comeback was fueled by their performance in paint where they scored 32 points against their opponents' 30. This slight edge proved critical as both teams struggled with shooting accuracy from beyond the arc; UAB made five out of twenty-seven three-point attempts, translating to an eighteen percent success rate. Their defensive efforts were also notable as they managed to gather twenty-nine defensive rebounds compared to their opponents' thirty-three.
Offensively, UAB's ball movement resulted in seven assists but it was their ability to capitalize on turnovers that stood out; they scored sixteen points off turnovers thanks to nine takeaways from UTSA. The home team's tenacity on second-chance opportunities yielded eleven points which contributed significantly to their narrow win.
While UTSA had higher field goal percentages for both two-pointers (forty-two percent) and free throws (sixty-seven percent), it was not enough to secure them a win on this occasion. They did manage more blocks than UAB with five compared to one for the home team but fell short where it mattered most – on the scoreboard.
Looking ahead, fans can catch the next game featuring UAB Blazers as they face off against Wichita State Shockers at Charles Koch Arena located in Wichita, Kansas. This encounter is scheduled for January 25th at 6:00 PM Central Time and will be available for viewing by supporters eager to follow their team's progress through this exciting season.