The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Augusta State
UAB Women's Basketball Team Cruises Past Augusta State
11/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Freshman guard Jala Harris scored 20 points to lead five double-figure scorers and the UAB women's basketball team to a 92-50 exhibition victory over Augusta State Sunday afternoon in Bartow Arena.
The Blazers, who open the 2009-10 regular season Friday at home (12:00 p.m.) against Alcorn State, turned in a dominant performance against their NCAA Division II guests.
UAB jumped out to a 30-9 lead just 10 minutes into the game and took a 45-22 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Nine different players scored for the Blazers in the opening half, including 10 by the 5-6 Harris.
"I thought we played really hard today," said UAB head coach Audra Smith. "There were a couple spurts that we played with maximum effort on the defensive end. That's what I'm trying to get these young ladies to accomplish. I feel like that has be our strong suit this year.
"It was great to see the number of kids we had in double figures, but I wasn't too excited about the number of turnovers (24) that we had, and a lot of them were unforced turnovers. But this is a young team that we're putting together. They're six months removed from high school and they've been tremendous to coach and to work with. They all want to get better, and as time goes on, we will definitely get better and better."
Harris, who was named Alabama's Miss Basketball by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) following her senior season at Bob Jones High School, was one of five freshmen to play in the game for UAB.
UAB, coming off a 10-20 season, also got 15 points and eight rebounds from center Jasmine Green, Harris' high school teammate at Bob Jones.
Shelly Breaux added 11 for the Blazers with Amber Jones and Miteka Trueheart contributing 10 points apiece.
UAB hit 44.6 percent of its field goals and out-rebounded Augusta State by a 58-38 margin.
