BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — UAB’s starting guards did the heavy lifting Monday night in Birmingham, Ala., as Deuce Jones and Justyn Fernandez each poured in 20 points in a 92-64 win over Florida A&M.
The Blazers built a 20-point cushion by halftime and never let the Rattlers back into it. The win moved UAB to 2-1 on the young season.
Coach Andy Kennedy’s team shared the ball well, handing out 19 assists on its 31 made baskets. UAB also controlled the glass, finishing with a 49-33 rebounding edge. Salim London added 12 points off the bench rotation.
Florida A&M came to town still looking for its first win. The Rattlers dropped to 0-3 after arriving off a 75-70 home loss to Fort Valley State in which guard Daisean Williford scored 22.
A season ago the Blazers finished 20-12 overall and 8-9 at home, while the Rattlers posted a 12-8 league record and won just five of 16 road games. The Rattlers gave up 74.6 points per game last winter, and UAB went past that total well before the final horn.
Defense and ball security were strengths for last year’s Blazers, who averaged 7.9 steals and 3.5 blocks a game while committing only 8.6 turnovers per night. Monday’s ball movement suggested this group can share the scoring load around its two lead guards, with Jones and Fernandez pacing an offense that never stalled after the opening minutes.
Florida A&M made 44.8 percent of its shots from the field a year ago, but it could not keep pace with UAB, which turned a big first half into a comfortable second half in front of the home fans.
UAB now heads out for an in-state test, visiting Jacksonville State on Saturday night with a 6 p.m. tipoff.
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