— By David Walsh
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — UAB held Marshall University to its lowest point total of the season and broke away from a 24-all tie at intermission to defeat the Thundering Herd, 61-50, in Conference USA men’s play Saturday night at Bartow Arena. Attendance was 2,542.
The starting time was pushed back from 2 p.m. to 7 due to inclement weather in the Birmingham area.
Marshall’s previous low in points this season was 64 points — 74-64 loss at Notre Dame at 67-64 loss to North Texas at Cam Henderson Center. Marshall’s previous points low was 45 against Western Kentucky five years ago in the C-USA Tournament.
Marshall (8-9, 2-2 C-USA) is back in action Thursday at home against C-USA leader Charlotte. Tip is 7 p.m.
UAB (11-6, 2-2 C-USA) outscored the Herd 16-4 in the first eight minutes of the second half to break open the game and the visitors could not mount any comeback.
In this game, Taevion Kinsey shot all of Marshall’s free throws (6-of-7). The Herd’s first free throw came with 7:28 left in the game. UAB connected on 20-of-31 foul shots.
Marshall went 4-of-26 from behind the arc. Jarrod West had two. The Blazers only took seven threes and Makhtar Gueye made it. He finished with a career-high 15 points and Tavin Lovan added 11. Tyreek Scott-Grayson pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.
Kinsey led Marshall with 20 points and West hit for 11. Kinsey and West started the night tied for the team scoring lead at 14.6 each. The Herd made just 20-of-60 shots from the field.
UAB had a 48-29 edge in rebounds overall and 14 came on the offensive end. The Blazers had just one assist for 40 minutes. They now lead the overall series with the Herd 21-8 and 11-3 now at home.