Nov. 1, 2007

Final Stats |  Quotes

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB junior Robert Vaden scored all 22 of his points in the second half to help lead the Blazers to an 83-48 victory over West Alabama inside Bartow Arena Thursday night. The exhibition game was the first action in a Blazer uniform for six Blazers, including three starters.

Vaden was 0-of-8 from the floor in the first half before catching fire in the second half with 9-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from behind the arc.

"I was happy to see he (Vaden) didn't press," said UAB head coach Mike Davis. "I thought he did a great job in the second half."

The Blazers forced 29 turnovers in the game, which they converted for 34 points.

Junior Lawrence Kinnard finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Senior Paul Delaney III also finished in double-figures with 11 points.

Junior Reggie Huffman had nine points and seven rebounds in his first game as a Blazer.

"I think we came out too excited," Davis said. "We were taking too many quick shots. I thought we did a better job in the second half of moving the basketball around."

West Alabama was led by Michael Billings and his 13 points. Maurice Naylor finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

UAB took a 32-21 lead into the break behind eight-point first half performances from Kinnard and Huffman. Kinnard was a perfect six-of-six from the line in the first half, while also grabbing seven boards.

UAB began the second half with a 19-11 run that was capped off by a Vaden three from the left side that gave the Blazers a 51-32 lead with 13:05 to go in the game.

The Blazers continued to pull away for the remainder of the game, outscoring West Alabama, 51-27, in the second half to close out the 83-48 victory.

The Blazers will open the regular season on Nov. 10 at Georgia State.