The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Central Connecticut State
Women's Basketball Team Defeats Central Connecticut, 70-53
12/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2002
HANOVER, N.H.----- Natasha Thomas scored 11 points to start the second half and lead the Lady Blazers (4-7) past the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut (1-9), 70-53, on Monday evening in the consolation game of the 2002 Blue Sky Restaurant Group/Dartmouth Classic at Leede Arena.
Thomas led all scorers with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the year. K'Shaki Short had a career night for UAB, with personal bests of 16 points and eight steals. Short also hit four-of-four from the charity stripe.
The Lady Blazers dominated the paint, outscoring the Blue Devils 28-10 in the lane. UAB wiped the glass, outrebounding CCSU, 39-29, including 15 offensive boards for the Lady Blazers. The rebounding advantage allowed UAB a 12-7 second-chance points advantage. UAB also had eight fast-break points, compared to Central Connecticut's zero.
"This team is learning with each time out," said UAB head coach Jeannie Milling. "This was an important win for us. We got good help from the bench, improved our shooting percentage and outrebounded them by ten. Our turnovers are still a liability, but our good shooting made the difference tonight. This was a great defensive game for K'Shaki Short. Her eight steals produced her 16 points. Natasha Thomas and Michelle Smith were big on the boards and in scoring."
The Lady Blazers led 31-27 at the half before outscoring CCSU 39-26 in the second period. UAB made 15-of-25 shots (60.0 percent) in the second half and hit 27-of-54 attempts in the game.
Tough defense by UAB held Central Connecticut to 35.7 percent shooting for the game. The Lady Blazers forced 21 turnovers and grabbed 13 steals.
UAB hosts Austin Peay on Friday, January 3, at 7 p.m. in Bartow Arena.
