The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Women's Basketball Battles TCU and Houston At Home
1/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 30, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The Lady Blazers return to Bartow Arena for two games, as they host TCU on Jan. 31, and Houston on Feb. 2. TCU is currently ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press poll and No. 21 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, while Houston is ranked No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today rankings.
UAB is coming off two-straight road losses, after falling at Memphis and Saint Louis. The Lady Blazers suffered their worst loss of the season, despite a career-high 28 points by freshman Crystal McFadden, as it was beaten by Memphis, 93-64, on Jan. 23. UAB had a season-high 28 turnovers, allowing Memphis to tally 41 points off of those miscues. Natasha Thomas and Gennifer Bridges each contributed 14 points to the cause. Memphis' 93 points were the most allowed by UAB this season.
On Jan. 25, UAB allowed Saint Louis to hit a season-high 53.6 percent of its shots, as the Billikens defeated the Lady Blazers, 86-74. The Lady Blazers got into foul trouble early, as forwards Lia Green and Natasha Thomas both fouled out of the game. UAB was led by Gennifer Bridges, who tallied 21 points and nine rebounds. Chantell Thomas came off the bench to score 15 points for the Lady Blazers. Carmen Guzman also set a career high with eight assists in the contest.
The Horned Frogs are 15-3 overall and own a 4-1 C-USA record. TCU defeated Louisville, 67-42, on Jan. 23, and then beat Cincinnati, 73-57, two days later. The Horned Frogs are 6-1 on the road. TCU is shooting 44.9 percent from the floor and is led by Sandora Irvin's 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
Houston is now 15-3 overall and has a 4-1 conference record. The Lady Cougars had their 10-game win streak snapped Jan. 25, as they fell at home to Louisville, 77-75, in overtime at home. Senior Chandi Jones, Preseason Conference USA Player of the Year, leads the team with 21.1 points per game, while Sancho Lyttle's 9.3 rebounds per contest are a team-best. Houston is hitting 40.0 percent of its shots and owns a +6.3 turnover margin this season.
