University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
UAB
Men's Basketball Earns Thrilling Win over UAB, 73-68
1/12/2019 7:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss' largest crowd of the season was treated to some of the best drama college basketball had to offer. The Golden Eagles defeated UAB, 73-68, courtesy of a 7-0 run over the final 36 seconds.
There were 28 lead changes in the contest, and none more significant than when LaDavius Draine launched his fifth three-pointer with 36 seconds remaining for a 69-68 advantage. On the ensuing possession, UAB missed a three-pointer and fouled Leonard Harper-Baker on the rebound. He went 1-for-2 at the line to increase the margin to 70-68.
Cortez Edwards then intercepted a pass at half-court and fed Harper-Baker in transition for the three-point play with four seconds left. His free-throw iced the game.
"I think a lot of today's game had a lot to do with the experience our team has," head coach Doc Sadler said. "We got down five and didn't panic. I thought our guys did a nice job at executing the last 3-4 minutes of the game. We didn't score every time, but we got some good shots and got to the free-throw line."
The game's defining moment came when the Blazers led 56-51 at 9:22, prompting a Southern Miss timeout. The Golden Eagles rebounded with two Draine three-pointers and a Tim Rowe jumper in the paint to regain a 59-56 lead at 7:49 and force UAB into its own timeout.
"Defensively in the first half, we played as well as we could," Sadler said. "We held them to 36 percent shooting. We were outscored 40-18 in the paint, and you're very lucky to win when that happens, but we made 11 three-pointers. We also outscored them by 10 at the free-throw line, and that'll help you win a lot of ballgames. Being at home helps, and that was the best crowd we've had all season."
Edwards led the scoring attack early with 18 points (5-for-8 from the field, 6-for-6 from the line). He surpassed James Williams (1981-85) and Kenny Siler (1983-87) on for No. 25 on the school's all-time scoring list (1,205). His 168 steals are also the third-most in school history.
"We have to get some defensive things cleaned up, and you're not going to make as many three-pointers on the road," Sadler said of the game's takeaways. "When you make free-throws, you aren't afraid to get fouled and you'll be that much more aggressive. Leonard did a great job at doing that today."
UAB (10-7, 2-2 C-USA) was led by Lewis Sullivan (14 points, nine rebounds).
Southern Miss (10-7, 2-3 C-USA) will look to keep its momentum Thursday at Charlotte. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT.
NOTABLE
-This was Doc Sadler's first win over UAB in his Southern Miss tenure.
-Southern Miss is now 3-0 this year against Alabama schools (81-66 at Troy, 71-67 versus South Alabama).
-The Golden Eagles had just six turnovers, the third time its had that many or fewer. It also defeated South Alabama and South Dakota with five and six, respectively.
-Leonard Harper-Baker (17 points, 10 rebounds) posted his first-career double-double.
-It was also Southern Miss' third double-double this season (Cortez Edwards versus Southeastern Baptist and South Dakota).
-Harper-Baker had only been to the foul line 10 times the previous six games before his 8-for-12 showing versus UAB. Each number served as a career-high in makes and attempts, besting a 6-for-8 mark versus South Alabama.
-LaDavius Draine tied a career-high with 19 points, while setting a new personal-best with 5 three-pointers on just eight attempts. He also had 19 points at UAB on Jan. 11, 2018.
-Draine is now 18-for-32 on three-pointers the last six games.
-The Golden Eagles went 16-for-21 at the line (76.2 percent). Thursday's game at Middle Tennessee was the first time this season the team went 70 percent at the line with 10 or more free-throw attempts.
-Tyree Griffin's 10 assists were a season-high.
