UAB advances to the AAC Conference Championship game

On Saturday UAB defeated South Alabama to advance to the American Athletic Conference Championship game. UAB led at halftime 38 to 30 and held on to win their AAC semifinal conference tournament game 93 to 83.

Guard Efrem Johnson led the scoring for UAB with 21 points and 2 rebounds. Guard Eric Gaines had 20 points and 4 rebounds. Alejandro Vasquez had 16 points and 5 rebounds. Christian Coleman scored 15 points and had 5 rebounds. Star center/forward Yaxel Lendeborg contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds. The victory improves UAB's record to 22 and 11.

Andy Kennedy is the head coach of the Blazers. Kennedy has 366 wins in his career including 100 wins in his four seasons at UAB. He previously coached 12 seasons at Ole Miss in the SEC. He also was the head coach at Cincinnati in the 2005/2006 season. He played his college ball at UAB where he is the second highest scorer in program history, playing under the legendary Gene Bartow. Kennedy also was previously an assistant coach at UAB from 1991 to 1996.

UAB will play Temple at 2:15 in the American Conference Championship game at 2:15 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.

This is the third conference championship game in a row that UAB has advanced to under Kennedy.

With a win UAB can secure an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. With a loss, UAB would be a bubble team. The NCAA selection committee will announced the field of 68 teams on Sunday night.

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