Yaxel Lendeborgâs double-double powers UAB to 93-82 win over Alabama A&M
It’s been almost three weeks since the UAB basketball team exited the court with a win under its belt but a road meeting with a familiar in-state foe was all that was needed to move past three straight outings of futility.
The Blazers broke a halftime stalemate and dominated the second half in their 93-82 victory over Alabama A&M, Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Alabama A&M Event Center in Huntsville.
UAB (5-5) improves to 15-0 over Alabama A&M and ends a three-game losing streak.
“We won the game,” UAB head coach Andy Kennedy said. “At the end of the day, as a coach, I realize that I’m in the scoreboard business and winning is important if you want to stay in the game. When you got a group like I’ve got, a lot of new guys and guys in different roles, we’ve had no consistency in any area. They need to see tangible results.”
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The Blazers shot 50 percent overall, 57.1 percent (8-of-14) from 3-point range and was 25-of-36 at the charity stripe. UAB allowed the Red Wolves to shoot 44.8 percent from the field and 11-of-23 on 3-pointers, but owned the interior with a plus-18 advantage on inside scoring and a plus-15 edge in rebounding.
“Offensively, we were really good,” Kennedy said. “They’re (Alabama A&M) a pesky defensive team and they turn you over. We only had 11, we shoot 59 percent in the second half and we made eight 3′s — can you believe that, that’s cause for celebration. We got to the free-throw line and dominated the glass.”
Yaxel Lendeborg posted his second straight double-double and third of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds, along with adding four assists, three blocks and four steals. Eric Gaines had 15 points, three rebounds and seven assists, followed by Efrem “Butta” Johnson with 14 points, three rebounds and four assists.
“He (Lendeborg) was more assertive tonight,” Kennedy said. “He was doing a little bit of everything and was proud of him.”
The Blazers jumped out to a 10-5 lead as Lendeborg opened the scoring with a slam, followed by a pair of free throws, and Johnson dropped two 3-pointers in the first five minutes. Alabama A&M was able to close the gap and tie the game midway through the half and outscored UAB 20-13 down the stretch to take a 45-43 lead with six seconds remaining.
Johnson added a pair of free throws to tie the game at 45-all after being fouled on the final play of the first half. Johnson, Lendeborg and Alejandro Vasquez all suffered minor injuries but returned to finish the game.
“Butta goes down with a cramp, Yaxel goes down with a cramp and AJ goes down with a cramp,” Kennedy said. “That tells you we’ve been working. When you play a game, in our last outing that was so underneath the standard we can accept here at UAB, we put some work in and it’s nice to see tangible results.”
UAB wasted no time in imposing its will to open the second half, surging ahead on a 14-3 run powered by two triples from Johnson and another from Gaines, and held a 64-50 lead at the first media timeout. The Bulldogs pulled to within eight points on an 8-1 run but the Blazers responded with a 6-0 spurt to maintain their double-digit advantage the remainder of the contest.
“We held them to two field goals in the first eight minutes of the second half,” Kennedy said. “We’re up and they go into desperation mode and made shots tonight.”
Javian Davis and Daniel Ortiz scored 11 points each, combing for nine rebounds, and Christian Coleman had nine points and two steals. Tony Toney and Barry Dunning Jr. had six points each while combining on six rebounds.
“Barry Dunning helped us in the first half,” Kennedy said. “Got in foul trouble. JD (Javian Davis) picks up his early two and Chris Coleman picks up a couple. Barry came in and gave us quality minutes in the first half. Chris Coleman and Daniel Ortiz were really good in the second half.”
James White did not travel and has taken a leave of absence from the team. Kennedy implied his return is possible but up in the air at the moment.
“He has taken a personal leave,” Kennedy said. “It’s open-ended right now. We’re taking it day by day.”
The Blazers return home to face Montevallo, Sunday, Dec. 17, at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+.