BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — In a hard-fought in-state showdown at a raucous Bartow Arena, the UAB Blazers outlasted the South Alabama Jaguars in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday night.

A crowd of 3,531 watched as the Blazers used a balanced offensive attack and a crucial second-half surge to secure the victory and improve their season record to 4-2. The Jaguars, despite a valiant effort and a prolific scoring performance from Chaze Harris, fell to 6-1 with the loss.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with UAB building a 10-point lead by the break. The Blazers established their presence early, with Daniel Rivera and Jacob Meyer connecting on several key plays. South Alabama, led by Harris’s relentless drives to the basket, managed to keep the game within striking distance, but UAB’s 36-26 halftime advantage provided a cushion.

South Alabama emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, quickly chipping away at the deficit. A combination of aggressive defense and efficient scoring from Harris and Adam Olsen allowed the Jaguars to mount a significant run, putting pressure on the home team and threatening to take control of the game.

However, UAB responded with a decisive run of its own. The backcourt tandem of Meyer and Chance Westry proved instrumental in stabilizing the Blazers. Meyer’s scoring prowess from beyond the arc and in mid-range situations provided a consistent offensive threat, while Westry orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 11 assists to go along with his 10 points. His playmaking repeatedly found open teammates, including Rivera inside and Ahmad Robinson on the perimeter, effectively countering South Alabama’s push.

Harris was the standout performer for the Jaguars, finishing with a game-high 25 points. The 6-foot-6 guard from Cleveland, Ohio, was a constant force, attacking the rim and playing 36 minutes. He received strong support from Olsen, a 6-foot-8 forward from Surrey, Canada, who added 18 points, including several critical three-pointers that kept South Alabama close throughout the second half.

For UAB, Meyer led the scoring charge with 24 points, demonstrating a versatile shooting stroke. Westry’s double-double of 10 points and 11 assists was the engine of the Blazers’ offense, controlling the tempo and creating high-percentage shots. Rivera provided a formidable interior presence, contributing 13 points, while Robinson chipped in 12 points and five assists. Defensively, KyeRon Lindsay-Martin was a force in the paint, recording three blocked shots and altering numerous others.

Despite South Alabama’s improved second-half output where they scored 46 points, UAB matched the intensity, pouring in 44 points of its own after halftime to maintain its lead and close out the game.

The game was a tale of offensive execution, with both teams showcasing potent scorers. UAB’s ability to distribute the ball effectively, evidenced by Westry’s high assist total, and get contributions from multiple players ultimately proved to be the difference against a South Alabama team that relied heavily on its top two scorers.

South Alabama will look to rebound on the road against Texas-San Antonio on Nov. 30. UAB returns to action quickly, facing Southern Illinois in a neutral-site game in Jacksonville, Florida, on Monday.