HUNTSVILLE | The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's basketball team won its third straight game with an 80-71 nonconference victory over Tampa on Saturday afternoon at Kelly Court at Spragins Hall on the final day of the Bill Penney Toyota Crossover Classic. UAH improves to 3-1, while UT slides to 0-2.
 
Sophomore Chaney Johnson led the Chargers overall in the contest, going 7-for-15 from the floor with a team-high 22 points and seven rebounds in addition to three assists.
 
Johnson is now averaging a team-high 19.5 points per game in 2022-23.
 
Fellow sophomore Jack Kostel joined Johnson in double-figure scoring with 13 on the afternoon, as he also generated three steals and four rebounds.
 
Luke Burnett notched a team-high five steals, while also picking up nine points and three assists. Dane Harding also notched nine points to tie for third on the team, while also guiding the roster with four assists.
 
The Chargers forced the Spartans to commit a total of 20 turnovers in the contest, as UAH picked up 12 steals and committed only six turnovers of their own.
 
UAH shot 44.8 percent (30-67) from the field in the contest to go along with a 35.5 percent (11-31) mark from beyond the arc.
 
Tampa maintained the advantage in the early going until back-to-back baskets by Kostel – including a three-pointer – put UAH ahead 16-12 with 10:22 remaining. UAH finished off the opening half outscoring UT 21-17 for a 37-29 lead after 20 minutes.
 
The Chargers picked up their efficiency in the second half, edging the visitors 43-42 by shooting 58.6 percent (17-29) from the field and 50 percent (5-10) on three-pointers in the frame on the way to an 80-71 win over the Spartans on Saturday.
 
The Chargers look ahead to the start of Gulf South Conference play for the 2022-23 season at home next Saturday against Auburn Montgomery. Tip-off slated for 4 p.m.