Eagles Fall 84-62 at UAB on Sunday Night

Sunday, December 15

Birmingham, Ala.

8 p.m.

Georgia Southern University

5-6

UAB

8-2

Georgia Southern

UAB

Photo by: Dan Friend

12/15/2013 10:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Curtis Diamond leads the way with 13 points

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – A 23-0 run by UAB late in the first half erased Georgia Southern's lead and paved the way for a 84-62 defeat to the Blazers in the Magic City.

"We were right in the game early and we had a great start," said Head Coach Mark Byington. "Unfortunately we took some bad shots and UAB capitalized by getting out in transition and hurting us. I thought our effort was good, but we didn't play smart and times and that is something we've got to learn from. Our advantage was quickness and our guards got some good drives to the basket early."

Curtis Diamond led the Eagles (5-6) with 13 points and was the only Georgia Southern player in double figures. The duo of Jelani Hewitt and Tre Bussey, who averaged over 44 points this season each, but were held to 14 combined points with seven each.

Overall, it was Georgia Southern's lowest scoring output of the season as the Eagles shot a season-low 32.4% from the field (22-of-68). The Eagles were 4-of-21 (19.0%) from downtown and were beaten 47-38 on the rebounding glass. The visitors pulled 17 offensive rebounds, their second-highest total of the season.

Brian Holmes had nine points while four Eagles shared high rebounding honors with five each.

Chad Frazier led UAB (8-2) with 19 points while Jordan Swing added 12 and Robert Williams dropped 11. Rod Rucker had 11 boards as the Blazers shot 48.5% from the field and made 6-of-17 from the bonusphere.

Georgia Southern took early advantage in the game, leading by as many as six in the early minutes. UAB responded to take their first lead of the game with 6:40 left in the opening period. The Blazers strung the lead out to 20 points at halftime with a 23-0 run that lasted the final 7:30 of the first half. Over that time, Georgia Southern went 0-for-13 from the field.

The Eagles got within 16 points just two and a half minutes into the second period, but that would be as close as the visitors would get on the evening. Ultimately UAB led by as many as 31 with 7:17 remaining.

Georgia Southern is back at home for the final game in Statesboro for 2013. The Eagles host Kennesaw State on Wednesday, December 18th at 7 p.m. Fans are invited to bring a new, medium sized stuffed animal to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Bulloch County. With each donation, fans can purchase a game ticket for just $4. At halftime, fans will have a chance to toss their stuffed animal on the court with the closest to the target winning a prize pack from The University Store.

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and twitter.com/GSAthletics, and its "Eagles GATA" mobile app for Android and iOS.