UAB Basketball Recap: #3 Gators Edge Blazers, 75-70

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this season to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA sports coverage. Today, our new UAB Correspondent Joe Schillaci, Jr. brings the latest update on the UAB Blazers basketball team.

Coach Mike Davis almost had his first signature win as head coach of the UAB Blazers. UAB (8-6) led #3 Florida almost the entire game and led by as many as 11 points in both halves. 

With 12 minutes to go in the second half, Mike Davis blew up at an official for an obvious blown call. This explosion earned Coach Davis a technical foul and gave Florida the opportunity to close the gap. UAB led 44-33 when Florida began their comeback. Joakim Noah scored on a slam-dunk to make it 46-42. 

The Blazers hung tough and maintained the narrow lead until the final two minutes of the game. The Gators (12-2) went ahead to stay when Taurean Green made two free throws with 1:32 left for a 70-69 lead, only their second lead of the game. UAB ran out of gas and Florida took care of business, pulling out a narrow 75-70 victory. 

UAB received nice balance from their starters, but only one point from the bench. Wen Mukubu led the Blazers with 20 points. Paul Delaney, III contributed 17 points followed by Mayfield and Kinnard with 15 points each. 

UAB played its best game of the season so far. The Blazers shot 50% in the first half and 31% in the second half. The Blazers cut down on the turnovers and capitalized on the turnovers by Florida. 

UAB fell to 8-6 but showed steady improvements throughout the pre-conference season. This UAB team looks like it is finding out how to play within the new system installed by Coach Mike Davis and staff.