Boxscore

Louisiana Tech knew it needed to control tempo to be able to come away with a win against Alabama-Birmingham on Monday and while the Bulldogs controlled tempo for most of the game, Tech could not overcome a season high 25 turnovers in a 66-54 defeat to the Blazers on Monday night at Bartow Arena.

Tech led at halftime 34-31 but could not keep pace as UAB started the second half on a 21-7 run to take control of the game. The Blazers shot 53% in the second half from three point range to pull away. Tech trimmed the lead to 62-52 but could get no closer in the closing minutes.

The pressure defense of UAB made it difficult for the Bulldogs (1-3) to get the ball inside to Paul Millsap who entered the game as the nation?s leader rebounded and is second nationally in scoring. Millsap finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and had two blocked shots.

Wayne Powell added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Tech.

UAB (2-0) is coming off an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance as the Blazers defeated Kentucky in the NCAA Tourney a year ago before falling to Kansas.


Tech dominated the backboard, out rebounding the Blazers 44-29 which kept the Bulldogs in the game.

An 8-0 by the Blazers from the 15:28 mark to the 14:29 mark of the second half gave UAB a 46-39. Squeaky Johnson scored six of the points on a three pointer and a lay-up after a steal in the backcourt. A pair of three-pointers by Derrick Broom gave UAB its largest lead so far at 52-41 with 9:24 left in the game.

UAB was led by Donnell Taylor with 15 points.

Louisiana Tech turned the ball over five times in the opening 3:30 minutes before a 10-0 run gave the Bulldogs at 12-11 lead at the 13:18 mark of the first half. A turnaround jumper in the lane by Jeremy Johnston gave Tech a 14-11 lead extending the run to 12-0. Tech would push the run to 15-0 on a Donell Allick three pointer. The Bulldogs led most of the first half and played the final 6:49 of the opening 20 minutes without Millsap who picked up his second personal foul at that point. Corey Dean capped the first half with one-handed dunk over Demario Eddins to give the Bulldogs a 34-31 lead at halftime. Tech led at halftime despite 17 first half turnovers by holding UAB to 32% shooting in the first 20 minutes. Tech also dominated the first half on the boards, out rebounding the Blazers 29-9.

The Bulldogs open the home portion of the schedule on Saturday against Texas-San Antonio at 4 p.m.