UAB steamrolls Temple 85-69 to win AAC championship, berth in NCAA Tournament
UAB steamrolls Temple 85-69 to win AAC championship, berth in NCAA Tournament
UAB’s Christian Coleman (13) goes up to dunk on Temple during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Christian Coleman (13) goes up to dunk on Temple during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Christian Coleman (13) goes up to dunk on Temple during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Christian Coleman (13) dunks as Temple’s Jordan Riley (4) and Sam Hofman (33) look on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Christian Coleman (13) dunks as Temple’s Jordan Riley (4) and Sam Hofman (33) look on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Jahlil White (2) dribbles against UAB’s Efrem Johnson (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Jahlil White (2) dribbles against UAB’s Efrem Johnson (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller shoots against UAB during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller shoots against UAB during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB head coach Andy Kennedy reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament against Temple, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB head coach Andy Kennedy reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament against Temple, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller (3) goes up for a shot against UAB’s Efrem Johnson (24) and Eric Gaines (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller (3) goes up for a shot against UAB’s Efrem Johnson (24) and Eric Gaines (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller, right, shoots against UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller, right, shoots against UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller shoots against UAB during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller shoots against UAB during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Jordan Riley (4) shoots against UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Jordan Riley (4) shoots against UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller dribbles up court against UAB during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller dribbles up court against UAB during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Jahlil White, left, shoots against UAB’s Daniel Ortiz during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Jahlil White, left, shoots against UAB’s Daniel Ortiz during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple head coach Adam Fisher reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament against UAB, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple head coach Adam Fisher reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament against UAB, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller (3) reacts after a basket by teammate Shane Dezonie (55) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament against UAB, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Hysier Miller (3) reacts after a basket by teammate Shane Dezonie (55) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament against UAB, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Zion Stanford (1) shoots against UAB’s Javian Davis (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Zion Stanford (1) shoots against UAB’s Javian Davis (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg, center, tries to look for a teammate while being pressured by Temple’s Shane Dezonie, right, and Steve Settle III, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg, center, tries to look for a teammate while being pressured by Temple’s Shane Dezonie, right, and Steve Settle III, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Eric Gaines (4) goes up for a shot against Temple’s Sam Hofman (33) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Eric Gaines (4) goes up for a shot against Temple’s Sam Hofman (33) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Christian Coleman holds the trophy after his team defeated Temple in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Christian Coleman holds the trophy after his team defeated Temple in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Eric Gaines, left, goes up for a basket against Temple’s Sam Hofman during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Eric Gaines, left, goes up for a basket against Temple’s Sam Hofman during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Seth Sigmon, left, reacts as teammates celebrate after defeating Temple during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Seth Sigmon, left, reacts as teammates celebrate after defeating Temple during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Eric Gaines (4) gets help from teammate Yaxel Lendeborg, top left, blocks a shot by Temple’s Hysier Miller (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. UAB’s Christian Coleman (13) and Efrem Johnson (24) look on. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Eric Gaines (4) gets help from teammate Yaxel Lendeborg, top left, blocks a shot by Temple’s Hysier Miller (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. UAB’s Christian Coleman (13) and Efrem Johnson (24) look on. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Christian Coleman reacts after his team beat Temple in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Christian Coleman reacts after his team beat Temple in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Shane Dezonie (55) goes up for a basket against UAB during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Temple’s Shane Dezonie (55) goes up for a basket against UAB during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Alejandro Vasquez (10), Daniel Ortiz (2) and Eric Gaines react after defeating Temple during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Alejandro Vasquez (10), Daniel Ortiz (2) and Eric Gaines react after defeating Temple during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg (3) reacts as teammate Christian Coleman, top center, scores on an alley-oop from Alejandro Vasquez (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament against Temple, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg (3) reacts as teammate Christian Coleman, top center, scores on an alley-oop from Alejandro Vasquez (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament against Temple, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
ESPN broadcaster Kevin Brown works the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament between Temple and UAB, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
ESPN broadcaster Kevin Brown works the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American Athletic Conference tournament between Temple and UAB, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. UAB won 85-69. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Alejandro Vasquez sank five 3-pointers on his way to scoring a career-high 29, Yaxel Lendeborg finished with his 19th double-double of the season and UAB cruised to a wire-to-wire 85-69 victory over Temple on Sunday in the championship game of the American Athletic Conference Tournament, earning the Blazers a spot in the NCAA Tournament for a 17th time.
Vasquez opened the scoring with a 3-pointer two minutes into the game and the fourth-seeded Blazers (23-11) never looked back, heading to the Big Dance on a five-game win streak. Vasquez had 21 points by halftime to lead UAB to a 43-27 advantage.
Vasquez accounted for nearly half of UAB’s first-half output, hitting all five of his 3-point attempts on 7-for-9 shooting. The Blazers shot 52% in the first half and made 7 of 13 from beyond the arc.
Hysier Miller hit two 3-pointers and had 16 points at the break for Temple. Miller hit 4 of 8 shots, while the rest of the Owls made 5 of 22. Temple shot 30% overall and missed 10 of 12 from distance.
Vasquez made 11 of 16 shots, missing his only 3-point attempt in the second half, for UAB. Lendeborg totaled 14 points and 16 rebounds. Eric Gaines added 15 points, nine assists, six rebounds and five steals. Christian Coleman scored 15 on 7-for-12 shooting.
Miller scored a career-high 32 to lead 11th-seeded Temple (16-20). He made 9 of 18 shots with four 3-pointers and 10 of 11 foul shots. Shane Dezonie added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists off the bench.
Coach Adam Fisher’s Owls had won five in a row entering play and hadn’t lost since a 100-72 setback to UAB. After that loss a gambling investigation was announced due to unusual betting.
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