Williams' start sparks North Texas past UAB, 76-65

Published Jan. 23, 2014 10:35 p.m. ET

foxsports

DENTON, Texas (AP) Alzee Williams scored 12 of his 18 points in the first half as North Texas handed Alabama-Birmingham a 76-65 loss in its first visit to Denton Thursday night.

Williams tied the game at 10-10 less than five minutes into the game, then added back-to-back field goals and a three-point play to spark a 16-2 run that gave the Mean Green the lead for good, 24-12 midway through the first half.

Chad Frazier drilled a 3-pointer with 16:13 left to bring the Blazers back and cut the lead to a point, 46-45, but Williams fed Maurice Aniefiok and T.J. Taylor for 3-pointers that pushed North Texas to a 55-48 lead.

North Texas (11-8, 2-3 Conference USA) overcame a 53-39 rebounding deficit by shooting 49.2 percent from the field (29 for 59). Jordan Williams added 16 points for the Mean Green.

Frazier led UAB (12-6, 1-3) with 20 points.