Richmond, VA -- (Sports Network) - Reggie Huffman scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the fifth-seeded UAB Blazers to an 80-77 win over the fourth-seeded Virginia Commonwealth Rams in the first round of the NIT at the Siegel Center.

Robert Vaden also added 16 points for the Blazers (23-10), who will move on to face Virginia Tech in the second round. Lawrence Kinnard tallied 13 points and eight rebounds in the victory, while Aaron Johnson chipped in with 12 points and seven assists.

VCU (24-8) was paced by Eric Maynor who tallied 22 points and nine assists in a losing effort. Jamal Shuler added 21 points for the Rams, while Lance Kearse netted 16 points on 4-of-5 shooting behind the three-point line off the bench.

UAB took control in the first half, shooting 48.4 percent from the floor to take a 38-27 lead at the break.

The Blazers were able to hold off a late second-half charge by the Rams, shooting 11-of-24 from the field, en route to the three-point win.

Foul-shooting proved to be the difference in this contest, as UAB outscored VCU 22-15 at the charity stripe.