UAB defeats South Florida 106-109

UAB Edges South Florida in Thrilling 3-Point Shootout

In a dramatic turn of events, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) erased a two-point halftime deficit to defeat South Florida 109-106 on the road Tuesday night.

The home crowd had given the Bulls a boost heading into the locker room, leading 38-36 at the break. However, UAB's high-powered offense refused to be silenced, as they came out firing on all cylinders in the second half.

South Florida's strong performance from beyond the arc was a key factor in their early lead, with the Bulls hitting 13 of 37 three-point attempts (35.0%) in the first half. The visiting Blazers struggled to keep up, making just six of 15 three-pointers (40.0%).

The game became a back-and-forth affair as both teams made adjustments and capitalized on their opponents' mistakes. UAB's bench was particularly effective, outscoring South Florida's reserves 31-20.

Senior guard Jaden Springer led the Blazers in scoring with 24 points, including 14 in the second half. The transfer from Tennessee added to his arsenal of skills by hitting five three-pointers in the game.

UAB's impressive shooting performance was a key differentiator in the matchup, as they converted 31 of 43 free throws (72.0%) compared to South Florida's 23 of 36 (64.0%). The Blazers' ability to get to the line and capitalize on their opportunities proved decisive in the end.

The final margin was just three points, a testament to the intensity and back-and-forth nature of the game. UAB's victory marked its second win over an unranked opponent this season, showcasing the team's growth and resilience.

For South Florida, the loss stings as they fell short in their quest for a conference victory. Despite the setback, Bulls head coach Mike Neer emphasized his pride in the team's performance, saying "I'm proud of our kids' heart and effort. We just didn't make enough plays when it mattered most."

The win propels UAB to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while South Florida falls to 10-7 (1-4). The Blazers will look to build on their momentum as they head into a crucial matchup against a ranked opponent next week.