The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Athletes in Action
Women's Basketball Team Falls In Exhibition Opener
11/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.----- The UAB women's basketball team fell to Athletes in Action, 71-58 on Thursday in its first exhibition game of the season. After leading 33-32 at half, the Lady Blazers were outscored 39-25 in the second half.
"I was really happy that we played a good team like we did," said head coach Jeannie Milling. "They really put the pressure on us and showed our weaknesses. I'm disappointed that they beat us as badly as they did, but I think there were a lot of good things that came out of this."
The Lady Blazers were led by junior Natasha Thomas, who had a double-double by halftime. Thomas finished the game with 22 points and 16 rebounds, including six offensive boards. Michelle Smith was the second-leading scorer for UAB, with 17 points and nine rebounds to go along with four steals. Chantell Thomas added 11 points to the cause.
"I think Natasha (Thomas) and Michelle (Smith) did a great job," said Milling. "Chantell Thomas has really improved her game since last year."
UAB played a solid first half, shooting 51.7 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc. Natasha Thomas had 14 points and 11 rebounds in her first 17 minutes. The Lady Blazers dominated the glass, outrebounding Athletes in Action, 25-12 at the break.
Unfortunately, UAB was slow to start the second half and was outscored 15-5 in the first five minutes. The Lady Blazers saw their shooting drop to 27.6 percent from the floor, as they went 0-5 from the three-point line in the second half.
"A real trademark of this team is our rebounding and we continue to do that, but we turned the ball over 22 times and you can't win in that situation," said Milling. "The good thing about this game is we saw our weaknesses. One of them was the first five minutes of the second half, where they went on a 15-5 run. We've got to learn from that and we will."
Three newcomers made their Bartow Arena debuts as freshmen Christine Whitt, Kate Sams and Dannielle Jackson all came off the bench for UAB. Freshman Netra Smith was not available for this game due to a knee injury.
The Lady Blazers play their second and final exhibition game on Sunday, November 17 versus the Nashville Stars at 5 p.m. at Bartow Arena.
