UAB Uses 4th Quarter Run To Defeat TSU In Tourney Finale

NEW ORLEANS, La. – UAB pulled away in the second half as TSU dropped its finale in the annual Tulane Classic by an 84-68 margin Saturday afternoon at Tulane University.

UAB opened up with an eight-point lead towards the latter part of the first quarter but the Tigers regrouped down the stretch as Ciani Cryor scored eight of TSU’s 10 points to pull the Tigers within 18-15 at the end of the quarter. Niya Mitchell opened the second quarter with six points within the first two minutes as TSU moved ahead 22-18. UAB would tie the game at 26-all with 6:11 left but a basket by Cryor gave TSU a 28-26 margin. TSU would lead by as much as five (37-32) after a trey by Destiny Arvinger but UAB closed out the half with a three-point play as the Tigers’ lead was 37-35.

UAB opened the second half with a trey and pushed its lead to 44-38 at the 7:42 mark but the Tigers tied it at 46-all after Ataiya Bridges’ jumper. A three-pointer by UAB on the ensuing possession gave the lead back to them but TSU kept battling as they were down 53-51 with 1:28 remaining. However, UAB would score the final five points of the quarter for a 58-51 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The contest got away from TSU in the fourth quarter as UAB outscored the Tigers 16-3 for a 74-54 lead. The closest TSU would draw was 14 points but the deficit became too big to overcome as UAB closed out the contest with the win.

Cryor, who was named to the all-tournament team, led TSU with 26 points and seven assists. Mitchell added 11 points and nine rebounds while Bridges scored 12 off the bench.

The Tigers will close out non-conference play at UT Arlington on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.