BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jamarr Sanders scored 37 points and Aaron Johnson became Alabama-Birmingham's all-time assists leader as the Blazers defeated Rice 74-68 Saturday night.
Sanders scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers, during a 16-5 second-half run that gave the Blazers (18-6, 8-3 Conference USA) a 60-54 lead with 7:25 remaining.
Johnson assisted on four baskets during that run and had nine assists for the game, giving the senior guard 604 in his career to pass Steve Mitchell on the Blazers' career list.
UAB made 12 baskets in 25 attempts from 3-point range to just 5 of 13 for the Owls (11-13, 3-7). Sanders shot 8 of 14 behind the line and was 11 for 22 overall.
Ovie Soko, with 10 points, was the only other UAB scorer in double figures.
Arsalan Kazemi scored 17 points, Connor Frizzelle 14 and Tamir Jackson 13 for Rice, which has never beaten UAB in seven meetings.
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