Post-Game Notes
March 9, 2006
GAME 5: (2) UAB 69, (10) SMU 55
The nationally-ranked Blazers (23-5) are advancing to the Conference USA semifinals for the fourth straight year. UAB's conference tournament record under Mike Anderson is now 6-3.
UAB advances to the semifinal round on Friday. The Blazers have now won seven consecutive games and 19 of their last 21.
SMU held a decisive edge in rebounding. The Mustangs out-rebounded UAB, 45-29. A big reason why was SMU forward Devon Pearson's 17 rebounds. Pearson added 10 points for a double-double.
Devon Pearson's 17 rebounds is a C-USA Championship record, surpassing 16 rebounds grabbed last season by Marcus Jackson of Marquette against TCU. Marquette's Amal McCaskill also pulled down 16 boards against Memphis in 1995.
UAB forced SMU into 17 first-half turnovers and entered the half with a 36-26 lead. The Blazers forced the Mustangs into 26 turnovers for the game, while turning the ball over only 11 times.
UAB placed four players in double figures, led by Richard Jones and Lawrence Kinnard's 12-point efforts. Marvett McDonald and Paul Delaney each added 11 points. The Blazers also recorded 20 assists and 12 steals in the win.
The Blazers received a strong contribution from their bench in the win. UAB's bench out-scored SMU's 37-17.
SMU concludes its inaugural season in Conference USA at 13-16.
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