BIRMINGHAM — UAB men’s basketball (5-6) led Arkansas State (9-3) by 25 points at halftime, but couldn’t hold on to the win after a 98-89 overtime loss.

The Blazers had their best half of the season in the first 20 minutes. UAB hit seven three-pointers and consistently got to the free throw line while forcing 11 Arkansas State turnovers.

After Kobe Julien converted a three-point play to make it 15:12 in the first half, the Blazers took over. UAB went on a 30-3 run over the next eight minutes and had a 41-17 lead with 7:16 left in the first half.

Tyren Moore fired the Blazers with four three-pointers in the first half Yaxel Lendeborg and Efrem “Butta” Johnson each reached double figures before the break. While UAB scored efficiently in the first half, the tone was set by the defense.

Arkansas State’s 28 first-half points were the Red Wolves’ lowest point total in a single half this season. UAB held Arkansas State without a field goal for over six minutes during the Blazers’ run.

The second half was different for UAB as the Red Wolves were able to get to the basket frequently and block outside shots. Led by Taryn Todd and Kobe Julien, who each scored 17 points in the second half, the Red Wolves shot nearly 60 percent from the field after halftime.

Arkansas State went on a 16-2 run starting at 11:41 and cut UAB’s lead to just two points with 6:40 left. After Tyren Moore With a three-pointer the Blazers took the lead again by five points, the Red Wolves scored seven goals in a row and took the lead for the first time that evening.

The Blazers trailed by three with a minute left. Tyren Moore With 36 seconds left, the deficit was cut to just one, and Arkansas State went 1-for-2 at the free throw line, making it a two-point game with 22 seconds left. Alejandro Vasquez found Yaxel Lendeborg under the basketball for a dunk to tie the game with eight seconds left, and Julien’s jumper missed the target at the other end, sending the game into overtime tied at 84.

In overtime, Arkansas State led from start to finish. With the Red Wolves ahead by five, Tyren Moore hit a three-pointer with 1:23 left to cut the lead to just two. On the ensuing possession, Arkansas State managed to grab an offensive rebound and Todd hit a three-pointer to extend the lead back to five. UAB couldn’t respond and Arkansas State took the 98-89 overtime victory.

NOTES

• Yaxel Lendeborg scored 22 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, had four assists and blocked two shots for his 25^Th Career double-double.
• Tyren Moore scored a season-high 22 points, making six three-pointers.
• UAB had 20 assists for the fourth time this season.
• The Blazers reached 10 3FGs in consecutive games for the first time since February 11, 2023.

NEXT
The Blazers will face Alabama A&M on Wednesday, December 18th. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT at Bartow Arena.

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