Feb 22, 2003

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Morris Finley hit a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 21 points to lead UAB to an 80-52 victory over Houston on Saturday night. The Blazers (15-8, 7-5 Conference USA) hit 18-of-29 shots in the second half, outscoring the Cougars (7-16, 5-7) 50-30.

"The guys took tonight's game to heart and we set the stage defensively," UAB head coach Mike Anderson said. "It was a good win and good to see everyone play. I think our guys had a lot of fun tonight. When we play with good defense like we did tonight, we are going to be able to win some games."

Jeffrey Collins hit three 3-pointers in the second half, scored 13 points and had three of UAB's 15 steals despite playing just 19 minutes.

Finley had five first-half 3-pointers and quickly hit two more as the Blazers opened the second half on an 8-0 run.

Louis Truscott led Houston with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Cedrick Hensley added 10 points. The Cougars have lost five of their last six games.

None of UAB's starters played more than 22 minutes and 12 players scored.

Houston battled UAB evenly on the boards, with both teams grabbing 40 rebounds, but the Cougars' young guards struggled against UAB's pressure defense.

Houston made only 5-of-26 3-pointers and sophomore guard Andre Owens committed 10 turnovers.

UAB, which leads the nation in steals, forced 15 first-half turnovers to take a 30-22 lead despite shooting just 31 percent. The Blazers doubled that percentage in the second half and shot 46.9-percent for the game.

The Blazers will remain at home when they play host to American Division foe DePaul on Wednesday, February 26, at 7 p.m.