Nov. 12, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - Wen Mukubu scored 19 points to lead four players in double figures as the University of Alabama-Birmingham claimed a 75-60 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Sunday in the final game of the John Thompson Classic at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Avery Smith led Milwaukee (1-2) with 21 points, but the Panthers shot just 32 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers.

Paul Delaney added 11 points and 13 rebounds while Lawrence Kinnard contributed 14 points and Jeremy Mayfield 10 for the Blazers.

Allan Hanson pitched-in with 12 points for the Panthers, who trailed by 27 points early in the second half before mounting a late rally. Smith scored 19 of his points in the second 20 minutes after being limited to just four minutes in the first half because of foul trouble. UWM also slowed UAB's torrid shooting pace, limiting the Blazers to 33 percent shooting in the second half.

"I know it's a process and I know we're going to be better," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "I want these guys to be better right away, but it's just not going to happen that way. It takes time for guys to grow up and mature."

UAB rode red-hot shooting to a big first half lead. The Blazers hit on 17 of their 27 shots in the first half, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. UAB scored 11 of the first 13 points of the game and eventually led 21-10 with nine minutes to play on a jumper by Kinnard. The lead grew to 30-13 on a three-pointer by Taurus Dortch and the Blazers eventually led by as many as 25 in the first half. A late three-pointer by Hanson did pull UWM to within 44-22 at the half.

But, the Blazers continued their hot shooting into the early part of the second half, building their lead to 51-24 on a layin by Frank Holmes. The Panthers did quickly cut the advantage back to 18 but could never get any closer than 14 points down the stretch.

In earlier action at the John Thompson Foundation Classic, Washington State finished its perfect weekend with an 84-67 win over Radford. The Cougars (3-0) shot 60 percent from the field in starting a season 3-0 for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

The Panthers return to action Wednesday night, playing at Michigan in a 6 p.m. contest.