Coach Jerod Haase and two players met with the media Tuesday night following the Blazers 76-70 win over Prairie View A&M. Haase was happy with the win.

"That's a big time win," Haase said. "That's a good team. They could be in the NCAA. They're the favorite to win their league."

UAB trailed Prairie View for the entire first half. A pair of technical fouls early in the second half sparked the UAB win. "The key was that we came out and competed," Haase added. "It's not always going to be easy, but tonight we found a way."

UAB won despite shooting only 36 percent in the first half and even worse - 28 percent - in the second half. "We had a bad shooting day," guard Terrence Jones acknowledged. "But we turned them over 24 times and our defense created some offense."

"We knew they would play hard," Jones added. "They're scrappy and get after you on defense."

Forward Rod Rucker led the team with 25 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Rucker said the team increased its intensity for the second half. "Coach said we were not boxing out," Rucker said. "In the second half, we looked for a body and if we couldn't get the ball, then tip it out."

Ultimately, though, Rucker said the win was a team effort. "I believe in my teammates," he said. "I know that what they're capable of doing."


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