BlazerSportsReport.com - Blazers Run Over Miles, 97-49

November 3, 2009

Larry Powell
BlazerSportsReport.com Senior Writer

BARTOW ARENA - Meet coach Mike Davis' new scoring machines. Junior Elijah Millsap, senior transfer George Drake, and freshman Dexter Fields led the offensive fireworks as the Blazers defeated Miles College 97-49 in an exhibition game Tuesday night at Bartow Arena.

Millsap was the leading scorer, tossing in 25 points - 15 in the first half. Drake added 13 points, including nine in the first half. Dexter, after sitting out the entire first half, scored 12 in the second period. Senior transfer Kenneth Cooper was also in double figures with 10 points

The scoring explosion overwhelmed the over-matched Miles team. Still, coach Chris Giles [a former Blazer player and assistant coach] and his Golden Bears kept the score close for a while. UAB had only a three-point lead - 22-19 - after the first ten minutes of the game.

The Blazers pulled away with seven straight points over the next two minutes before taking a 46-29 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Blazers came out even hotter in the second half, outscoring Miles 51-20 in the period.

The only negative came from junior guard Aaron Johnson. Johnson played well, scoring eight first-half points and 13 for the night, but got in early foul trouble that limited his time on the court. "It's crucial for us that A.J. doesn't get in foul trouble," Davis said after the game.

Morris Perry led the Golden Bears' offensive effort, scoring 15 points - 12 in the first half. Rahim Barnes added 13. "I was proud of my players," Giles said. "They played hard."

Millsap was the indisputable star of the game, notching a double-double by grabbing 14 rebounds along with his 25 points. Apparently he shook off the rust that came from sitting out last season.

"I did a lot of watching film," he said, "and last year I did a lot of watching. I was ready to play."

"Right now, it's coming easy," he added. "I was just attacking the goal. There's no reason to shoot a jumper if you can attack the goal."

Davis was pleased with the Blazer effort, but wants improvement. "It was okay for the first game," he said. "We've got to get better, to take care of the better, but it was fine for the first game."

"We played solid and we stayed discipline," he added.

The one disappointment for the night was Howard Crawford's four points -- one basket and two free throws. "We've got to get Howard Crawford more shots," Davis said. "He only got three. He needs more, because we need to play inside-out."

On the positive side, Davis noted that the Blazers scored 17 first-half points off of turnovers, adding "We've got to score a lot on turnovers." Davis said he hoped the team could work out most of its kinks by the time they return for their first home game.

UAB will open the season on the road against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Friday, Nov. 13 in the first of four consecutive road games. The Blazers return to Bartow Arena for the home opener against Georgia on Saturday, November 21.

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