Dec. 8, 2001

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - P.J. Arnold and UAB finally came through in a tight game.

Arnold scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half to lift the Blazers to a 74-68 victory over UNLV on Saturday in the Arby's Hardwood Classic.

The Blazers (4-4) made 14 of 18 free throws in the final seven minutes to keep the Runnin' Rebels (3-3) from getting back into it. UNLV has lost three of its last four games.

UAB's four losses had come by a composite 13 points while the previous wins had all been lopsided.

"Obviously, when you've been in four real close games and lost all four, it can weigh on your mind sometimes," coach Murry Bartow said. "We need some wins in tight games. We were able to make some big stops on defense near the end."

Arnold, meanwhile, came through on offense. He hit three 3-pointers in a two-minute span to key a 16-2 UAB run and break a 41-41 tie midway through the second half.

UNLV cut it to seven points on Dalron Johnson's layin with 2:50 left. Then, Lafonte Johnson stole the ball, but the Rebels missed four shots on the following possession and UAB got the ball back.

The Rebels hit a couple of 3-pointers after that, but the Blazers kept hitting their free throws.

UAB was 26 of 34 from the line while UNLV was just 9 of 14 and missed its first five.

"We fouled too much," coach Charlie Spoonhour said. "You can't let that become your mentality, but that's what we've been doing."

What the Runnin' Rebels aren't doing under the first-year coach is living up to their nickname. They didn't have a fast-break point.

"We're more confident with the running game and we're not used to the half-court game the new coaches want us to play," Dalron Johnson said.

Blazers sixth man Morris Finley had 15 points and Will Campbell added 12. Myron Ransom collected nine points and 13 rebounds. Arnold has nine of UAB's 22 3s in the past two games.

Dalron Johnson was held to three points in the first half but finished with 17. Lafonte Johnson was 4-of-8 from 3-point range for 12 points and Lamar Bigby added 10.

The Blazers took a 36-34 lead into halftime on a pair of Myron Ransom free throws with 7 seconds left. UNLV had jumped out to a 17-9 lead before Finley scored eight straight points to spark a 12-2 run.

The Rebels wouldn't lead again.

It was very different from the last meeting, a 109-68 UNLV win in 1990.

Auburn played No. 8 Virginia in the second game of the Classic.