Birmingham Holds its Breath as UAB Blazers Battle Vermont in Season Opener
Well, Birmingham fans, it was a rollercoaster of a game last night at Bartow Arena as the UAB Blazers opened their season against the Vermont Catamounts. The excitement was palpable, but unfortunately, the game turned out to be a tough pill to swallow for the home team as they fell to Vermont with a score of 67-62.
First Half Woes
The Blazers, reminiscent of their opener against Bradley last season, started off sluggish. The Catamounts pulled away early, showcasing excellent ball movement and sharp shooting. By halftime, they had built a substantial lead of 14 points, leaving the Blazers in a bit of a hole.
While it was clear UAB had potential, they struggled significantly with their shooting in the first half. When the buzzer sounded for halftime, you could almost hear an audible sigh from the bleachers as they headed into the locker room feeling the urgency of a comeback.
An Inspiring Second Half
But just when it seemed all hope was lost, the Blazers made a valiant effort in the second half! Yaxel Lendeborg, who many have dubbed the AAC Preseason Player of the Year and a Naismith Watchlist forward, caught fire after a quiet first half. He started out with just three points and three rebounds, but later turned the tide, showcasing both strength and finesse.
By the end of the game, he had tallied an impressive 22 points, 15 rebounds, and an astonishing eight blocks against the Catamounts. It was thrilling to see him rise to the occasion, bringing the Blazers back into contention and making the crowd come alive again.
The Struggle with Shooting
Despite Lendeborg’s heroics, UAB faced a significant issue with shooting. The Blazers struggled from beyond the arc, finishing the night 0-for-10 from three-point territory. This became painfully evident during the final minute of the game. With UAB trailing and a chance to seize the lead, Efrem “Butta” Johnson was left wide open in the corner, only to miss two critical three-point attempts on the same possession.
To put things in perspective, Vermont capitalized on their perimeter shooting by hitting 10 of 27 attempts from beyond the arc, equating to a solid 37% success rate. Meanwhile, TJ Hurley from Vermont proved to be a consistent thorn in the Blazers’ side, securing 20 points for his team, which included making crucial three-pointers during tight moments.
A Look Ahead
Now standing at 0-1 for the season, the UAB Blazers will definitely want to learn from this experience as they prepare for their next matchup. Mark your calendars and gear up for Thursday night! They’ll face off against Southern Mississippi at 6:30 p.m. back at Bartow Arena. The hope will be that they find their rhythm and solve those shooting woes, much to the delight of their loyal fans!
This opener against Vermont might not have gone as planned, but the Blazers showed spirit and potential that left fans excited for what’s to come. Here’s to hoping that the team can bounce back and showcase their skills in the upcoming games! Go Blazers!
