BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- Paul Delaney III scored 19 points to help Alabama-Birmingham defeat Savannah State 63-37 in Bartow Arena.

 

The Blazers jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back before a crowd of 3,196.

 

Tracy Rankin's layup with 13:42 remaining were the first points scored by SSU.

 

The Tigers were able to cut the UAB lead to seven on three occasions, with the last being at the 4:10 mark. The Blazers answered with six straight points as they closed out the half with a 11-4 run.

 

UAB, who improved to 9-5 overall and 5-0 at home, led 34-20 at intermission.

The Blazers opened the second half by hitting 10 of their first 12 shots from the field as they went on a 25-8 run to build a 31 point lead with 8:24 remaining.

 

UAB shot 61 percent from the field in the second half but also made 12 of their 17 turnovers after halftime.

 

Savannah State followed up the UAB outburst with a 9-0 run to cut their deficit to 59-37 with 5:28 on the clock.

 

Despite scoring just 17 points in the second half, SSU's defense limited the Blazers to just one field goal the final 8:24 of the contest.