NCAA Game Summary - UAB at Florida Atlantic

Boca Raton, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Pablo Bertone notched a game-high 34 points, leading the Florida Atlantic Owls over the UAB Blazers, 82-71, in a Conference USA tilt at FAU Arena.

Bertone shot 13-of-20 from the field for the Owls (9-15, 4-5 C-USA), who have won two of their last three games. D'Andre Johnson (13 points), Kelvin Penn (12) and Marquan Botley (11) also reached double figures, the latter clearing eight rebounds and handing out eight assists as well.

Rod Rucker tallied 19 points to lead the Blazers (14-9, 3-6), who have lost three in a row. Chad Frazier followed with 18 points, while Fahro Alihodzic and Robert Williams both scored 13 points.

The Owls struggled somewhat in the opening half, shooting just 37.9 percent from the field. Meanwhile, the Blazers converted 40.6 percent and also hit 10- of-14 at the free-throw line, leading to a 38-32 halftime advantage.

The Blazers failed to keep up the momentum in the second half, however, dropping to 35.1 percent from the floor and just 4-of-7 at the line. At the other end, the Owls improved to 57.1 percent and sank 14-of-16 at the line, as they erased the first-half deficit. After taking the lead with 6:04 remaining on a Bertone layup, they never gave up the lead.

FAU outrebounded UAB 42-37 and outscored the visitors in bench points 17-4.