Birmingham, Ala. - UAB stormed past Saint Louis 72-52 tonight in a Conference USA men's basketball game at Bartow Arena. The Blazers (13-5, 6-1) came up with 13 steals, forced the Billikens into a season-high 25 turnovers and handed SLU its second straight road loss.

"We simply got out-classed in every area tonight by a better basketball team," Billikens head coach Brad Soderberg. "Last year, we played our worst game at South Florida and came back to finish strong, and we'll work hard to make that same kind of turnaround."-

Against the Blazers steady defensive pressure all over the floor, the Billikens committed 12 first half turnovers and trailed 29-20 at halftime. Only SLU leading scorer Reggie Bryant's eight points kept the Bills close.

Saint Louis' ballhandling issues continued in the second half as the Bills turned it over on their first five possessions. The Blazers built a 15-point lead, but the Bills had cut the lead to 10 and had Bryant at the line for a 1-and-1 with 9:20 to play. The usually reliable junior guard missed the front end, and UAB went on a 7-0 tear to end any doubt. The Blazers eventually led by as many as 24 and coasted home.

With Louisville losing earlier in the day, UAB moved into a tie for first place atop the league. Blazers senior guard Mo Finley led all scorers with 23 points. Forward Demario Eddins added 10, as did junior guard Donell Taylor. The Blazers shot 50 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from threeland and 44.4 percent from the free throw line.

The Billikens shot 43.8 percent from the field, only 11.1 percent (1-9) from the arc and 50 percent from the free throw line. Bryant and senior forward Chris Sloan each scored 14. Former Blazer Tom Frericks had six points and a team-high eight rebounds before fouling out.

Saint Louis (11-7, 4-3) completes its three-game road trip at Memphis on Sat., Feb. 7, for a noon tip-off.