The Blazers (20-6, 10-3 C-USA) opened the game on a 10-0 run, needing just 2:47 to push their lead to double digits in UAB's 24-point victory over the Owls (14-11, 6-7 C-USA). Quan Jackson, who led the Blazers with 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting in the win, capped off the 10-0 spurt with a monster one-handed slam to force a Rice timeout.
UAB would extend its lead to as many as 18 points twice in the opening 20 minutes, dominating Thursday's game from start to finish. KJ Buffen, who surpassed 1,000 points for his career in the win, slammed home a dunk to make it 28-10 UAB with 8:41 remaining in the opening half. Buffen went on to post UAB's final seven points of the half, giving the Blazers a 39-25 advantage at the break.
"Terrific offensive performance from our group," head coach Andy Kennedy said. "We were tremendous out of the gate and got multiple major contributions from a number of guys.
"It felt good to be back home, and we're 15-0 in Bartow in pretty dominant fashion."
Buffen finished Thursday's contest with his team-high seventh double-double of the season, posting a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with 17 points to make it back-to-back performances with a double-double for the junior forward.
Jordan Walker also joined the double-double club with 10 points and a career-high 12 assists. Walker's 12 assists not only marked a UAB high for the 2021-22 season, but they also tied for the most by a Conference USA player this season. The Blazers finished Thursday's victory with 21 total assists, tying a season-high which was first set in UAB's 85-71 win over Morehead State.
UAB stretched its lead to a game-high 30 points when Michael Ertel knocked down a jumper in the paint to make it 87-57 Blazers with 3:11 remaining. Ertel exceled in his first start since UAB's Conference USA opener against UTEP with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
Tavin Lovan rounded out the Blazers in double figures with 10 points, three rebounds and steal in the win over the Owls.
The Blazers doubled Rice in points in the paint in Thursday's victory, outscoring the Owls 56-28 in the paint. UAB also outscored Rice 24-1 in fast-break points and 19-8 in points off turnovers.
Thursday's victory not only marked UAB's 20th win of the season, but it gave head coach Andy Kennedy the 12th 20-win season of his collegiate coaching career. Kennedy holds a 42-13 record through 55 games since returning to his alma mater in March 2020.
Kennedy's team will conclude its two-game home stand Saturday when the Blazers host Conference USA leader North Texas (19-4, 12-1 C-USA) in Bartow Arena. Saturday's tipoff is set for 3 p.m. on Stadium.
Saturday's showdown against the Mean Green will be UAB's "White Out" matchup in Birmingham. The Blazers will wear their white uniforms, while fans are encouraged to arrive early at Bartow Arena for their chance to receive their own white "Steal Mill" T-Shirt courtesy of the UAB Bookstore.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball single-game tickets start as low as $12 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets to any home basketball game during the 2021-22 season. Groups are encouraged to complete the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form or call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information.
