Johnson hit 7 of 14 shots, grabbed eight rebounds and played turnover free for the Hilltoppers (14-5, 6-0 Conference USA). Coleby added 17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots. Josh Anderson had 12 points, Taveion Hollingsworth scored 11 and Darius Thompson chipped in with 10 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Blazers (13-6, 4-2) got double-doubles from Chris Cokley and William Lee. Cokley had 17 points and 11 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season, while Lee accomplished the feat for a second time with 11 points and 14 boards. Zack Bryant added 16 points and Nick Norton scored 12 with both players handing out five assists.
UAB knocked down 8 of 19 from long range (42 percent), while the Hilltoppers connected on just 3 of 15 (20 percent). But Western Kentucky went to the free-throw line 29 times — making 20 — while the Blazers sank 3 of 3.
