UAB Blazers at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
· NCAA Men's Basketball
Gaines scores 17 as UAB beats Western Kentucky 72-60
Gaines shot 7 for 14, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc for the Blazers (22-8, 13-6 Conference USA). Tavin Lovan added 14 points while shooting 6 of 9 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line, and he also had five rebounds. Trey Jemison recorded 10 points and shot 4 of 6 from the field and 2 for 4 from the line.
The Hilltoppers (15-14, 7-11) were led in scoring by Jairus Hamilton, who finished with 20 points. Dontaie Allen added 10 points for Western Kentucky. In addition, Emmanuel Akot had nine points and seven rebounds.
UAB took the lead with 1:11 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 33-29 at halftime, with Javian Davis racking up eight points. UAB extended its lead to 55-39 during the second half, fueled by a 14-2 scoring run. Gaines scored a team-high nine points in the second half as their team closed out the win.
NEXT UP
UAB's next game is Saturday against Charlotte on the road, and Western Kentucky visits UTEP on Thursday.
How can I watch UAB vs. Western Kentucky?
Recent Plays
| 2nd 0:00 | End of Game | 72 - 60 |
| 2nd 0:00 | End of 2nd half | 72 - 60 |
| 2nd 0:16 | Emmanuel Akot made Layup. | 72 - 60 |
| 2nd 0:27 | KJ Buffen made Dunk. Assisted by Jordan Walker. | 72 - 58 |
| 2nd 0:32 | Jordan Walker Steal. | 70 - 58 |
Statistics
 UAB |
 WKU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 29-66 | FG | 23-56 |
| 44 | Field Goal % | 41 |
| 5-19 | 3PT | 5-20 |
| 26 | Three Point % | 25 |
| 9-15 | FT | 9-12 |
| 60 | Free Throw % | 75 |
| 37 | Rebounds | 36 |
| 15 | Offensive Rebounds | 12 |
| 22 | Defensive Rebounds | 24 |
| 15 | Assists | 13 |
| 10 | Steals | 1 |
| 1 | Blocks | 6 |
| 7 | Turnovers | 14 |
| 2 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 7 | Total Turnovers | 14 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 17 | Points Off Turnovers | 9 |
| 11 | Fast Break Points | 6 |
| 46 | Points in Paint | 24 |
| 13 | Fouls | 13 |
| 16 | Largest Lead | 7 |
Game Information
Location: Bowling Green, KY
Attendance: 5,623 | Capacity:
2025-26 American Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida | 15-3 | - | 25-9 |
| Tulsa | 13-5 | 2 | 29-7 |
| Wichita State | 13-5 | 2 | 24-12 |
| UAB | 11-7 | 4 | 20-12 |
| North Texas | 9-9 | 6 | 19-14 |
| Florida Atlantic | 9-9 | 6 | 18-15 |
| Charlotte | 9-9 | 6 | 17-17 |
| Tulane | 8-10 | 7 | 18-15 |
| Temple | 8-10 | 7 | 16-16 |
| Memphis | 8-10 | 7 | 13-19 |
| Rice | 7-11 | 8 | 13-18 |
| East Carolina | 6-12 | 9 | 11-20 |
| UTSA | 1-17 | 14 | 5-25 |
2025-26 Conference USA Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 17-3 | - | 26-8 |
| Sam Houston | 13-7 | 4 | 22-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Western Kentucky | 11-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-9 | 6 | 17-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Jacksonville State | 10-10 | 7 | 15-17 |
| New Mexico State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-16 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-18 |
| Florida International | 8-12 | 9 | 15-17 |
| UTEP | 7-13 | 10 | 11-20 |
| Delaware | 6-14 | 11 | 10-21 |