Millsap's big night lifts UAB past Cincy

Elijah Millsap had 22 points and 15 rebounds, leading Alabama-Birmingham to a 64-47 victory over No. 25 Cincinnati last night, the Blazers' eighth consecutive win.

UAB (9-1) held the Bearcats (6-3) to 32 percent shooting. It was Cincinnati's second straight loss, following a double-overtime defeat at cross-town rival Xavier on Sunday.

The Bearcats whittled a 15-point halftime deficit down to eight twice in the opening minutes of the second half but trailed by as many as 25 points before a last-minute spurt. They missed nine straight shots as UAB rattled off a 14-0 run to make it a rout.

Howard Crawford added 14 points and George Drake had 10 for the Blazers, who have won 30 straight home games against nonconference teams and all 23 under coach Mike Davis.

Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati's leading scorer, fouled out with 4:35 left and had eight points. He missed about 9 minutes of the first half after appearing to hurt his left ankle. The freshman's fifth foul came on a technical while protesting a charging call.

Dion Dixon had 13 points - 11 in the second half - and was the Bearcats' only double-digit scorer.

Cincinnati made only three of 22 three-point attempts and was outrebounded, 47-34, after coming in ranked third nationally in rebounding margin.

In other Top 25 games:

* At Ohio State, Jon Diebler scored 12 points, including two three-pointers in a 14-0 run to open the game, as the No. 18 Buckeyes cruised past Presbyterian, 78-48. It was the Buckeyes' first home game without injured star Evan Turner. David Lighty led Ohio State (8-2) with 20 points, while William Buford added 11 and Dallas Lauderdale 10. Walt Allen had 13 points for the Blue Hose (2-9).

* At Mississippi, Chris Warren scored a career-high 32 points, including 11 in overtime, and the No. 20 Rebels erased a double-digit deficit for the third straight game, beating Texas-El Paso 91-81. Terrico White hit two rally-starting three-pointers and had three key rebounds in the final minutes, finishing with 19 points for the Rebels (9-1). Randy Culpepper scored 19 points for the Miners (5-2) and Derrick Caracter finished with 15.

* At Georgia Tech, Gani Lawal had 15 points and 15 rebounds and freshman Derrick Favors added 15 points and 11 rebounds, leading the No. 22 Yellow Jackets to a 65-53 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Freshman Mfon Udofia added eight key points and five assists for the Yellow Jackets (8-1). Tavaris Washington and Lebaron Weathers each had 13 points for Pine Bluff (0-8).

* At New Mexico, Roman Martinez scored 17 points and the No. 19 Lobos opened the game with a 14-0 run on the way to a 96-57 victory over Northern Arizona. Four players hit three-pointers in the opening run for New Mexico (11-0), who led 19-2 before the Lumberjacks (3-6) scored 11 straight points.

* Temple's home game against Dayton on Feb. 24 has been changed from a 7 p.m. start to 6:30. The game will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet.