UAB's trip to The Super Pit proved successful as they secured a 72-68 win over North Texas, with Chance Westry leading the charge. The Blazers' guard scored 18 points, helping his team overcome a strong performance from North Texas' Je'Shawn Stevenson, who finished with 21 points. The win was predicted by CHD Scout, who forecasted a narrow UAB victory by 0.1 points, making the actual four-point margin a relatively comfortable one.
The first half saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, with UAB taking a slim 34-37 lead into the break. North Texas' Stevenson was unstoppable in the opening period, scoring 13 points to keep his team ahead. However, UAB's Westry and KyeRon Lindsay-Martin, who finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, began to find their footing, setting the stage for a competitive second half.
The final 20 minutes were marked by back-and-forth scoring, with neither team able to pull away. North Texas' David Terrell Jr. chipped in with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, but UAB's balanced attack proved too much to handle. Dayjaun Anderson added 13 points for the Blazers, who outscored North Texas 38-31 in the second half to secure the win.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The victory is a significant one for UAB, who boost their tournament resume with a quality road win. As a Quadrant 3 victory, it may not be a headline-grabbing result, but it demonstrates the Blazers' ability to perform away from home against decent opposition. North Texas, on the other hand, suffers a Quadrant 3 loss, which won't severely damage their tournament hopes but won't help their cause either.
With the win, UAB improves to 14-8 on the season, while North Texas falls to 12-10. The Blazers' net ranking of 122 will likely receive a slight boost, while North Texas' ranking of 169 may remain relatively stable. As the season enters its final stretch, UAB want to build on this momentum, while North Texas will aim to bounce back from a tough defeat.
This result reinforces UAB's position as a potential tournament contender, with their resume now featuring a solid road win against a mid-major opponent. While North Texas' loss won't be devastating, it highlights the need for the Mean Green to secure more convincing victories to strengthen their tournament case. As the college basketball landscape continues to take shape, UAB's win over North Texas serves as a reminder that the Blazers are a team to watch in the coming weeks.