The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Prep for Battle Against No. 3/3 Buckeyes
11/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2009
Ohio State Game Notes | Live Stats | Live Video
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's basketball team will travel to Ohio State on Tuesday for its first road test of the season. The Blazers tip off against the No. 3/3 Buckeyes on Tuesday at 6 p.m. (CT) at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, marking the first meeting between the two teams.
BLAZERS BITS
UAB opened the season with a victory for the
second year in a row, topping Alcorn State,
76-62. It marked the 250th win for the Blazers
on their home court.
Freshman guard Jala Harris nearly notched a double-double in her collegiate debut, leading all-scorers with 25 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Harris was not the only freshman have an immediate impact, as center Jasmine Green, guard Khalilah Watson, guard Amber Jones and guard LaKenya Lowe combined for 21 points and 19 boards.
Speaking of fresh faces, this year's UAB team features eight newcomers, including seven freshmen. The first-year group includes a trio of Alabama Players of the Year in Harris, Jones and Lowe. Additionally, Harris was named Alabama's Miss Basketball by the Sports Writers Association (ASWA) after her senior campaign.
Forward Tamika Dukes, the lone senior on the 2009-10 squad, demonstrated her experience and versatility in the Blazers' opener. Dukes totaled 11 points and eight rebounds, in addition to an assist, a block and a steal.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are coming off a
pair of wins to open the season in
the Preseason WNIT. Ohio State
knocked off Eastern Illinois in the
opener before topping Bowling
Green in the quarterfinals of the
tournament. The Buckeyes are led
by junior center Jantel Lavender,
with 39 career double-doubles,
including back-to-backers already
this season.
Last season, OSU won the Big Ten for the fifth year in a row and made a trip to the Sweet 16. Eighth-year head coach Jim Foster returns four starters from his 29-6 squad of last season.
BATTLING THE BIG TEN
UAB has only faced a Big Ten team
one time during head coach Audra
Smith's tenure, defeating Illinois
during the 2007-08 season. Overall,
the Blazers are 2-4 against Big
Ten foes.
LAST TIME OUT
In UAB's season-opener, the Blazers
battled back from an early eightpoint
deficit to capture a 76-62
win over Alcorn State. The Blazers
trailed by one at halftime, but Jala
Harris' 23 second-half points put
the game out of reach for the Lady
Braves. The Blazer bench doubled
Alcorn State's effort in the contest,
outscoring the Lady Braves' bench,
22-11. UAB also best Alcorn in the
paint by a margin of 30-18.
