UCLA Powers Past UAB, 92-75

UAB hung around in the first half behind 15 points from Robert Brown (6/7 from the field) and 10 from William Lee. The Blazers forced 7 turnovers, but they had no answer for UCLA inside. UCLA had 28 points in the paint and they had 8 offensive rebounds in route to a 46-37 lead at halftime.

The game was tied at 23 with 7:55 left in the half. UCLA closed on a 23-14 run behind 11 points from Tony Parker.

Tony Parker had 19 points and 6 rebounds at halftime on 8/9 shooting for UCLA and Bryce added 9. Parker was simply dominant inside and he was ale to get UAB's big man, Tosin Mehinti, in early foul trouble.

In the second half, UCLA went right back to Parker and extended their lead to 54-40. Mehinti picked up his third foul and UAB was on the ropes.

UAB cut the lead to 57-50 behind three pointers from Robert Brown and Denzell Watts. UCLA stretched their lead back out 64-52, but back to back 3's by Watts and Tyler Madison 64-58.

UAB simply couldn't get back in the game, but they were determined to keep it close. Again UCLA's lead grew to 12, but Nick Norton's long three made it 70-61.

The Blazers would get as close as 72-65, but the Bruins closed the game on a 20-10 run, led by 8 points from Alford. Alford finished with 22 points to go with Parker's 28.

UAB was led by Robert Brown with 25 and William Lee with 10. Lee did not score in the second half. Denzel Watts added 9 for the Blazers, while Hakeem Baxter, Tyler Madison, and Chris Cokely each scored 8.

UAB will return most of their lineup next season. Brown, a Virginia Tech transfer, is a junior. Cokely, Lee, and point guard Nick Norton are freshmen, while Watts, Mehenti, Madison, and Hakeem Baxter are all sophomores.