UAB Blazers Advance to Historic First NIT Championship Game

The UAB Blazers have never been here before. In a program-defining moment Tuesday night, the Birmingham-based team shattered its NIT semifinal curse with an 88-86 overtime victory over Utah Valley, securing a spot in the NIT Championship Game. The Blazers entered the game 0-2 in NIT semifinal contests, but senior Ty Brewer ensured history would not repeat itself. Brewer delivered a career night when the Blazers needed it most. The 6-foot-9 forward matched his career-high 30 points while shooting a blistering 13-for-17 from the field (.765), adding 12 rebounds and a career-best five steals. It marked Brewer's second double-double of the postseason, a performance that underscored his value to UAB's late-season push. Jordan Walker contributed 17 points and six assists, while Eric Gaines added 13 points off the bench. The Blazers improved to 29-9 overall and 14-6 in Conference USA play. The victory caps an improbable postseason run for UAB, which won the Conference USA regular-season title before falling to Western Kentucky in the conference tournament quarterfinals. That early exit left the Blazers in the NIT—a consolation bracket that has instead become a pathway to redemption. The team's balanced scoring attack and defensive intensity, exemplified by Brewer's five steals, proved too much for Utah Valley (28-9, 15-3 WAC). Now UAB faces its ultimate test: the NIT Championship Game. After decades without an appearance in a postseason title game, the Blazers have an opportunity to bring a national tournament championship to Birmingham. The historic nature of the moment is not lost on a program that has never won an NIT title.