University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Friday, January 8
Birmingham, AL
6:30 PM
Southern Miss
-55,12 CUSA
60
at
72
UAB
-81,10 CUSA
1
2
F
Southern Miss.
31
29
60
UAB
40
32
72
Slow Start Too Much to Overcome in 72-60 Defeat at UAB
1/8/2021 9:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Home-court advantage proved to be the difference Saturday night in Bartow Arena, as a few shots at the right time stopped each Golden Eagle rally in a 72-60 decision Friday night.
The two teams will meet again Saturday at 4 p.m.
"We have to play with a high level of intensity, and I thought tonight we played just to get a little bit into it," head coach Jay Ladner said. "Once we got going a little bit, we really went toe-to-toe with them for the meat of the game. They have an outstanding team and are well-coached. I've honestly been disappointed in the way we've begun our last three halves, dating back to Saturday against UTEP. I have to address our mental preparation."
The Blazers (8-1, 1-0 C-USA) never trailed and had a 10-2 lead to begin the game. It moved to a 40-31 advantage at the break. Despite Southern Miss out-shooting the home team 50-47 percent, the Blazers had five more treys (7-for-16 from deep) and a 12-4 boost in second-chance points.
Southern Miss (5-5, 1-2 C-USA) got to within five points at 11:57 and 11:27, but UAB eventually stretched it to 64-49 at 6:27, its largest of the night, and the game remained in the double-digits.
Overall, UAB had an 18-6 advantage in points-off-turnovers, which proved to be the difference, forcing 15 while committing only five.
NOTABLE
-Tae Hardy has now made 17-straight free-throws and 22 of his last 23. He began the year 3-for-8.
-LaDavius Draine connected on his 200th three-pointer. He is second in school history behind Bernard Haslett's 316.
-Southern Miss went 24-for-48 from the field, its fifth time this season shooting 50 percent or better.
The two teams will meet again Saturday at 4 p.m.
"We have to play with a high level of intensity, and I thought tonight we played just to get a little bit into it," head coach Jay Ladner said. "Once we got going a little bit, we really went toe-to-toe with them for the meat of the game. They have an outstanding team and are well-coached. I've honestly been disappointed in the way we've begun our last three halves, dating back to Saturday against UTEP. I have to address our mental preparation."
The Blazers (8-1, 1-0 C-USA) never trailed and had a 10-2 lead to begin the game. It moved to a 40-31 advantage at the break. Despite Southern Miss out-shooting the home team 50-47 percent, the Blazers had five more treys (7-for-16 from deep) and a 12-4 boost in second-chance points.
Southern Miss (5-5, 1-2 C-USA) got to within five points at 11:57 and 11:27, but UAB eventually stretched it to 64-49 at 6:27, its largest of the night, and the game remained in the double-digits.
Overall, UAB had an 18-6 advantage in points-off-turnovers, which proved to be the difference, forcing 15 while committing only five.
NOTABLE
-Tae Hardy has now made 17-straight free-throws and 22 of his last 23. He began the year 3-for-8.
-LaDavius Draine connected on his 200th three-pointer. He is second in school history behind Bernard Haslett's 316.
-Southern Miss went 24-for-48 from the field, its fifth time this season shooting 50 percent or better.
Team Stats
USM
UAB
FG%
.500
.444
3FG%
.429
.357
FT%
.667
.600
RB
33
31
TO
15
5
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballJay Ladner Press Conference - October 15, 2025
Wednesday, October 15
Southern Miss-Alabama State Highlights - 12/05/24
Friday, December 06
MBB: Southern Miss vs. Loyola New Orleans Highlights
Wednesday, November 13
Postgame Highlights - Southern Miss vs. Xavier (La.)
Wednesday, March 06