The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Team Alabama
Blazers Top Team Alabama, 59-58, In Exhibition Game
12/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's basketball returned to the court Sunday afternoon following a 10-day layoff for the holidays and topped Team Alabama, 59-58, in an exhibition contest at Bartow Arena. Senior guard/forward Diamond Rogers led the Blazers with 18 points, while freshman guard Amanda Peterson added 12.
UAB had its hands full with Team Alabama, a squad of former collegiate basketball players, during the first half. Team Alabama went up by as much as six points early in the game before the Blazers came roaring back, with the help of Peterson's 10 points in the last four minutes of the half, to take a one-point lead at the break, 30-29.
Team Alabama capitalized on UAB's slow start in the second half and went up by six, 45-39, with 10:52 left to play. The Blazers tied it at 52-all on a jumper by junior guard Britney Jones. Five points by Rogers down the stretch, plus a bucket by senior guard Crystal McFadden, led UAB to the one-point victory, 59-58.
"It was good for us to play this exhibition game," said UAB head coach Audra Smith. "With the holiday break, this helped us get some of the rust off and get back into game mode.
"There were some good things that happened tonight, and obviously there are some things that we are concerned about. We will have to go back and work on those and get ready for Mississippi State on Thursday."
The Blazers hit just 29.8 percent of its shots on the night, while Team Alabama made 31.3 percent of its attempts. UAB did continue its accurate free throw shooting by sinking 70.8 percent compared to 66.7 percent from the charity stripe for Team Alabama.
Along with her game-high 18 points, Rogers also contributed three rebounds, two steals and one assist. Peterson grabbed four boards and dished out two assists in addition to her 12 points against Team Alabama.
Team Alabama had three players score in double figures, led by Boo Barnes with 15. Krystle Johnson scored 12 points and Marverly Nettles tallied 10 points. Dee Merriweather paced Team Alabama on the boards with 10.
UAB will return to regular-season play on Thursday when they host SEC foe Mississippi State in a 7:00 p.m. contest at Bartow Arena.
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