UAB defeats Cleveland St 101-77
UAB Dominates Cleveland St in Statement Win
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) men's basketball team made a strong statement on Friday night, cruising past visiting Cleveland State 101-77 at Bartow Arena.
The Blazers' dominant performance was on full display from the start, as they built an early lead that would ultimately grow to 24 points. Despite trailing 37-42 at halftime, UAB's offense found its rhythm in the second half, outscoring Cleveland State by a margin of 64-34.
For the Blazers, senior guard Chance Westry was instrumental in the victory, scoring 31 points on 1-of-1 three-point shooting and 80.0% field goal efficiency. He also chipped in with six assists and nine rebounds, leading UAB to a decisive win.
The Blazers' balanced attack allowed them to control the tempo of the game, outrebounding Cleveland State 40-28. They also limited the Vikings to just 43.0% shooting from the field, making every possession count.
A Blowout in More Ways Than One
While UAB's victory was never in doubt, the difference between the two teams went beyond the final score. The Blazers' superior defense forced Cleveland State into a series of costly turnovers, with the Vikings committing 14 miscues throughout the game. This led to an astonishing 24 points off turnovers for UAB.
In contrast, Cleveland State struggled to find its footing on offense, shooting just 46.0% from three-point range and 63.6% overall. The team's inability to get anything going in the paint further exacerbated their struggles, as they scored just 24 points in that area of the court.
Game Flow
* Halftime: UAB led 42-37
* Final margin: 24 points
* Largest leads: UAB 27, Cleveland St 5
The outcome of this game was never in doubt. From its strong defensive start to its balanced attack on offense, UAB proved itself to be the superior team on Friday night.
Context
This matchup marked a non-conference tilt between two teams looking to make a statement in the early going of the season. With no conference affiliation at play, both teams were eager to prove themselves against a tough opponent.
Advanced Statistics
The advanced statistics provided by the game paint an even more nuanced picture of UAB's dominance. The Blazers' eFG% of 62.1%, True Shooting percentage of 64.1%, and OREB% of 32.5 all indicated a team that was in control from start to finish.
For Cleveland State, the advanced statistics told a different story. A true shooting percentage of just 59.6% and an eFG% of 54.3 highlighted the Vikings' struggles on offense.
While this game may not have been the most closely contested affair, it served as a statement win for UAB in its quest to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with early in the season.