Preview: UAB Looks to Rebound Against Struggling UTSA in AAC Clash

SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — The UAB Blazers aim to steady themselves in American Athletic Conference play when they visit the struggling Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners on Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.

UAB (12-8, 3-4 AAC) enters having dropped two straight, including an 82-69 home loss to South Florida last Thursday. The Blazers have shown a pattern of following losses with wins, having not dropped more than two consecutive games all season. Guard Daniel Rivera has been a consistent offensive catalyst, averaging 13.7 points over his last seven games. He scored 18 points in UAB’s 109-106 double-overtime win at South Florida earlier this month.

Texas-San Antonio (4-16, 0-7) seeks its first conference victory amid a nine-game losing streak. The Roadrunners fell 70-64 to Temple on Saturday despite a standout performance from forward Baboucarr Njie, who posted 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Njie has been a bright spot, averaging 11.9 points and 4.1 blocks over his last seven contests, providing a formidable interior presence for a team that has struggled defensively.

The matchup pits UAB’s offense, which has scored 82 or more points in four of its last seven games, against a UTSA defense that has allowed an average of 84.1 points during its losing skid. The Blazers won the only meeting last season, 89-79, in Birmingham.

For UAB, avoiding a letdown against the conference’s last-place team is critical before a tough road trip to North Texas on Saturday. UTSA, meanwhile, looks to capitalize on its home court to find a spark and snap its prolonged slump.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST Wednesday.