UAB Defeats Real Deal Shockers, 90-71, in Final Game of Bahamian Foreign Tour

Delaney leads all scorers with 22 points

Sept. 3, 2006

NASSAU, Bahamas ----- Junior guard Paul Delaney collected 22 points to lead five UAB players in double figures in the Blazers' 90-71 victory over the Real Deal Shockers on Sunday, Sept. 3. The win concluded UAB's Bahamas Foreign Tour record at 2-0, after a 20-point win over the Crimestoppers on Sept. 2 (76-56).

UAB head coach Mike Davis thought his team played well over the weekend and was happy with the opportunity to compete in the Bahamas.


Mike Davis talks to his team during a timeout of Sunday's victory over the Shockers.



"This weekend wasn't about wins and losses," Davis said, "it was about team building and learning how to play with one another. As far as that is concerned, it was a very successful weekend. I am very happy we had this opportunity to compete in the Bahamas and being around the great people down there. We were treated with nothing but class the entire weekend."

The Blazers got off to another slow start for the second consecutive contest. Thanks in large part to five consecutive three pointers by the Shockers, UAB found themselves down by eight points, 18-10, with three minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

However, UAB responded by going on a 12-4 run over the final three minutes of the quarter to end the opening period tied at 22. The Blazers used the momentum to build their lead to 11 in the second quarter, and went into the locker room with a 43-35 advantage.


Freshman Jeremy Mayfield prepares for the opening tip of Sunday's contest.



After going back and forth during the third quarter, the Blazers finally pulled away in the fourth. With UAB clinging to a seven-point lead, 70-63, it erupted for an 18-4 run to increase the lead to 21 (88-67), the largest of the contest. Delaney led the charge scoring eight of his 22 points during the stretch.

Freshman guard Taurus Dortch played well, going for 16 points on the afternoon. Sophomore forward Lawrence Kinnard hit double figures for the second consecutive contest with 11 points, while senior guard Maurice Gibbs and freshman forward Jeremy Mayfield each accounted for 10 points in the contest.

"It was hard to judge the way we played over the weekend because we have only practiced as a team for 10 days," Davis said. "With that said, I thought we played well in the two games. Now we watch the tapes and work on what we saw when we start our individual practices. I am proud of this team's effort and I think we certainly our looking forward to an exciting season."

UAB will begin individual practice on Wednesday, Sept. 6, with official practice beginning in the middle of October.

Men's Basketball Finishes Bahamas Trip With Victory

Nassau native Gjio Bain tallies 21 points and 22 rebounds in victory

Sept. 3, 2006

NASSAU, Bahamas -- - Junior Gjio Bain capped his homecoming trip here Sunday morning by scoring 21 points and adding 22 rebounds as Southern Miss defeated the Bahamas Explorers 84-78 Sunday morning.

Bain was one of thee players in double-digit scoring for the Golden Eagles, who finished the trip 2-0. The third and final game of the tour, set for Sunday afternoon, was cancelled due to injuries with the team scheduled to play later in the afternoon.

"I am very excited about the future of this program," said third-year coach Larry Eustachy. "It is going to be fun to watch these younger guys develop this year."

One of those younger guys was Demar Dotson of Alexandria, La., tallied 22 points and 16 rebounds in the victory. Dewayne Green (Saginaw, Mich.) added 11 points and Jeremy Wise (Jackson, Miss.) tallied nine.

"The extra time in practice preparing for these games has been invaluable in giving us a gauge of where we are at, and where we need to go," Eustachy said. "The administration has been very supportive of us in providing us with this unique opportunity to come to the Bahamas and giving us a jump start on the season."

The Golden Eagles will resume team preparations for the 2006-07 season Friday, Oct. 13 with the official start date of practice for NCAA schools.