Jan. 2, 2008

Final Stats

Birmingham, Ala. - Alabama State rolled into UAB wanting to put on a strong performance before beginning conference play this weekend.

Instead, the Blazers dominated the game from the tipoff to the final buzzer in a 70-42 defeat of the Hornets.

"We didn't compete the way I expected us to," said ASU head coach Lewis Jackson. It was easily our worst game of the year, and it came against what I believe is the best team we've faced."

UAB raced out to a 9-2 lead, which they later pushed to 15-5 on the second of Robert Vaden's seven three point shots.

The Hornets fought back and pulled to 15-12 on Andrew Hayles' three pointer.

From there, the Blazers went on a 22-7 run to close the half, creating a 37-19 lead.

ASU's demise? The Hornets only shot 23% in the first half, by far their poorest half of shooting this year.

UAB shot twice as well as ASU, knocking in 46% of their attempts - including six three pointers. Vaden was the primary culprit as he posted 16 first half points.

Things didn't get much better for the Hornets in the second half, as the Blazers' lead swelled to as much as 30 at 59-29.

"UAB is definitely a very good basketball team," Jackson said. "But we simply didn't play the way we are capable of playing. They (UAB) hustled and got to every loose ball, and we couldn't put the ball in the ocean.

"When we struggled to hit shots, we lost a lot of our confidence. We've got to be able to play through times when we aren't making baskets."

The lone bright spot for the Hornets was the work of Chief Kickingstallionsims, who had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the game.

The Hornets end non-conference play at 4-6, and travel to take on Grambling State on Saturday.

"We've just got to put this game behind us," Jackson said. "The season starts over for us this weekend. I still believe this team has a chance to do some very good things in the SWAC."