The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
DePaul
Women's Basketball Falls To No. 24 DePaul, 78-62
1/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
"We played a very good and experienced DePaul team," said UAB head coach Jeannie Milling. "It was a hard loss, but in many ways we continue to improve as a team. We did a better job of controlling the ball. Our turnovers were significantly down, but we must do a better job of defending the three-point line. We're still not shooting the ball well or getting the point production from our guards that we need."
Jenni Dant converted the first bucket 49 seconds into the game, giving DePaul the lead that it never relinquished. The Blue Demons led 36-26 at intermission, sparked by freshman forward Khara Smith who had 12 points and five rebounds in the first 20 minutes and went on to lead all scorers with a career-high 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting.
DePaul continued its pattern of shooting the three, hitting 10-of-22. The Blue Demons outscored UAB, 30-9 from beyond the arc, as the Lady Blazers converted on 3-of-4 attempts. DePaul also outrebounded UAB, 38-36, for the game and 27-19 on the defensive boards.
Michelle Smith led the Lady Blazers with 23 points and 12 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season. Natasha Thomas added 20 points and seven boards. K'Shaki Short led UAB with three assists.
"Natasha Thomas and Michelle Smith gave it everything they had tonight," said Milling. "Lia Green helped out as well, scoring seven points and grabbing four rebounds."
The Lady Blazers continued to struggle at the free throw line, hitting only 7-of-16 from the charity stripe for 43.8 percent.
UAB travels to Milwaukee, Wisc., to face Marquette on Sunday, January 19, at noon. The game will be broadcast by the C-USA TV network and will be available on tape delay on Charter Cable beginning at 1 p.m.
