Charlotte's Second‑Half Surge Ends UAB's AAC Tournament Run, 83–78

March 13, 2026 - BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's push for a deep American Athletic Conference Tournament run came to a halt Friday afternoon in Birmingham, as the Blazers fell 83–78 to Charlotte in a quarterfinal matchup defined by one of the hottest shooting halves the conference has ever seen. The loss drops UAB to 20–12 on the season and leaves the program waiting to learn its postseason fate.

A Promising Start Slips Away

Playing just a few miles from campus at Legacy Arena, UAB opened the game with energy and physicality. The Blazers attacked the paint relentlessly, building a 33–31 halftime lead behind strong interior scoring and steady ball movement. Charlotte, meanwhile, endured long scoring droughts and struggled to match UAB's physical presence inside.

But the tone of the game flipped dramatically after the break.

Mingo's Historic Shooting Performance

Charlotte guard Dezayne Mingo delivered one of the greatest individual performances in AAC Tournament history. The sophomore erupted for 35 points, including a tournament‑record eight 3‑pointers, and scored 19 of his points in the second half. His shot‑making ignited a Charlotte offense that went from cold to unstoppable.

The 49ers shot a blistering 20-of-26 from the field after halftime-an almost unheard‑of 77%-and knocked down 10-of-14 from beyond the arc during that stretch. At one point, Charlotte made 14 straight field goals, turning a tight contest into a shootout UAB couldn't quite keep pace with.

Blazers Battle, But Can't Slow the 49ers

Despite Charlotte's offensive explosion, UAB stayed within striking distance thanks to its dominance in the paint. The Blazers outscored the 49ers 52–28 inside, repeatedly attacking the rim and generating high‑percentage looks.

Daniel Rivera led UAB with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, turning in one of his most complete performances of the season. Quaran McPherson added 14 points, while KyeRon Lindsay‑Martin chipped in 12. Guard Chance Westry set a tournament record with 15 assists, orchestrating UAB's offense with poise.

But every time UAB made a push, Charlotte answered with another timely three or a perfectly executed possession. The Blazers never allowed the game to get away, but they also never found the defensive stop that could swing momentum back in their favor.

A Tough Ending to a Strong Season

The loss stings for a UAB team that had positioned itself well entering the postseason. Andy Kennedy's squad showed resilience throughout the year, and Friday's performance-despite the result-reflected that same fight. But Charlotte's historic shooting display proved too much to overcome.

The Blazers now await postseason placement, with the NIT appearing the most likely destination given their overall résumé and Friday's early exit.

What This Means for Alabama Fans

For Birmingham‑area supporters, the game was a reminder of both UAB's strengths and the razor‑thin margins of March basketball. The Blazers played well enough to win on most days, but they ran into a team that delivered one of the most efficient halves in AAC Tournament history.

Charlotte advances to face top‑seeded South Florida in the semifinals, while UAB turns its attention to what comes next.