ATLANTA--Robert Vaden scored 26 points on eight three-pointers to lead UAB to an 86-63 victory over Georgia State in the season opener for both teams Saturday at the Georgia State Sports Arena.
Although the debut for Georgia State head coach Rod Barnes did not produce a victory, the Panthers, bolstered by 24 points from Leonard Mendez, trailed by just four points with less than eight minutes play.
“First and foremost, I am grateful and thankful to have the opportunity to be the head coach at Georgia State,” said Barnes. “The fans tonight gave us a lot of energy and we were able to feed off it. Although we did not come away with the win, we did a lot of great things.”
After playing an even first half, Georgia State fell behind by 17 points, trailing 60-43 with 12:26 to play before outscoring the Blazers, 16-3, over the next five minutes. Senior Justin Billingslea completed a pair of three-point plays to begin the run, which brought the Panthers within 63-59 at the 7:42 mark.
Leading by just five at 65-60 with seven minutes to go, UAB erupted for 15 straight points to build a 79-60 lead with 2:43 to play.
“I felt for 32 minutes we did everything we needed to do to win,” said Barnes. “The last six or seven minutes, however, we made some critical mistakes that allowed them to make some easy baskets down the stretch.
“Although we didn't get the win, the guys gained a tremendous amount of confidence. We just have to work harder on our mistakes and develop consistency.”
Mendez, the junior from Smyrna, Ga., connected on 10-for-15 from the field, including two three-pointers, while contributing six rebounds and three steals. Junior Rashad Chase had a double-double for the Panthers with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Trae Goldston added 10 points, despite picking up his third foul in the first half.
UAB, predicted to finish second in Conference USA behind Memphis, had four players in double figures, including Vaden, the Indiana transfer who connected on 8-for-13 from three-point range in his first game for the Blazers. Reggie Huffman had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Walter Sharpe and Paul Delaney added 13 points each. UAB shot 55 percent for the game.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game, just knowing Rod Barnes and the type of game his teams play,” said Davis. “Next year, we're not playing Georgia State. They're going to be very good.”
State fell behind by as many as 10 points in the first half and trailed 36-27 with four-and-a-half minutes to in the period. But the Panthers scored the final five points of the half, including a jumper by Mendez with one second left that tied the score at 37-all heading into the intermission.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Georgia State Head Coach Rod Barnes:
“First and foremost, I am grateful and thankful to have the opportunity to be the head coach at Georgia State. The fans, tonight, gave a lot of energy and we were able to feed off of it. Although we did not come away with the win, we did a lot of great things.”
“I felt for 32 minutes we did every thing we needed to do to win. The last six or seven minutes, however, we made some critical mistakes that allowed them to make some easy baskets down the stretch.”
“One thing we have to do is develop an identity. These guys have never played together and for them to play well against UAB, which is highly regarded, shows a lot of character. Although we didn't get the win, the guys gained a tremendous amount of confidence. We just have to work harder on our mistakes and develop consistency.”
“UAB is definitely going to be one of the top teams in Conference USA this season. Mike Davis is a great coach and has his players doing great things in his system.”
UAB Head Coach Mike Davis
“We had problems early in the game against them. We missed some open shots, but they did too. We shot 50 percent in the first half, but we were tied at the half.”
“Rod [Barnes] is one of my best friends and he is like a brother to me. Rod is doing the same thing I did last year and he has three or four guys sitting out on the bench and I knew if we kept pushing them we could wear them down.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game just knowing Rod Barnes and the type of game his teams play.”
“Next year, we're not playing Georgia State. They're going to be very good.”
