DENTON, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and resilience, the UAB Blazers weathered a furious first-half surge from North Texas and executed down the stretch to secure a 72-68 victory over the Mean Green in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at North Texas Coliseum.

A crowd of 3,905 saw the Blazers improve to 14-8 overall, while North Texas fell to 12-10. The win snapped a two-game road skid for UAB in the series and came against a Mean Green squad that was a solid favorite according to pregame analytics.

The most pivotal sequence of the contest unfolded not in the final seconds, but across the opening 20 minutes. North Texas, fueled by the dynamic play of Je’Shawn Stevenson and David Terrell, seized control early. Stevenson, a junior guard from Chicago, scored 15 of his game-high 21 points before halftime, including a trio of three-pointers. Terrell, a Dallas native, orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out five assists to go with his 17 points.

The Mean Green built a 37-34 halftime lead by capitalizing on UAB’s mistakes, converting 12 first-half Blazer turnovers into 17 points. Their defensive pressure, which produced nine steals for the game, repeatedly ignited their transition attack, where they held a 15-10 advantage in fastbreak points.

The second half, however, belonged to UAB’s composure and its standout forward, Chance Westry. The Blazers, who committed only six turnovers after the break, methodically chipped away at the deficit. Westry, a 6-foot-6 junior from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was instrumental in the rally, scoring 12 of his team-high 18 points after intermission. He added four assists and a critical blocked shot in 35 minutes of action.

UAB finally reclaimed the lead midway through the second period and never relinquished it, though North Texas stayed within a single possession for much of the final five minutes. The Blazers’ interior presence, led by Denton native KyeRon Lindsay-Martin, proved decisive. Lindsay-Martin, playing in his hometown, scored 15 points, grabbed key rebounds and blocked two shots. His ability to finish inside helped UAB match North Texas with 40 points in the paint.

The final minute was a tense affair of free throws and defensive stops. With UAB clinging to a 70-68 lead, North Texas had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead. A driving layup attempt by Reece Robinson was off the mark, and a subsequent three-point attempt by Stevenson in the closing seconds failed to connect. UAB’s Jacob Meyer sealed the outcome by sinking two free throws with six seconds remaining.

Statistically, the game was a study in contrasting efficiencies. UAB won despite being out-assisted 9-5 and committing twice as many turnovers (12-6). The Blazers’ victory was rooted in superior shooting from the field, where they connected on 50.9% of their attempts compared to North Texas’ 41.4%. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, with UAB hitting 5 of 17 and North Texas making just 3 of 17. The Mean Green kept it close by making 17 of 23 free throws, while UAB was less steady at 11 of 18.

For UAB, Dayjaun Anderson provided crucial scoring support with 13 points, and Evan Chatman added six points and stout interior defense. North Texas’ Robinson finished with 10 points and two blocks, while Cole Franklin contributed nine points.

The Blazers return home to host Memphis on Thursday. North Texas hits the road to face Rice on Wednesday.