The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Clemson
Blazers Earn Fourth-Straight Win In Victory Over Clemson
12/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 15, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB women's basketball team reeled off its fourth consecutive victory with a 67-64 win over Clemson on Wednesday night at Bartow Arena. Sophomore guard Jala Harris led the Blazers (6-3) with a game-high 23 points and junior guard LaShaunda Pratt added a career-high 16 points.
"I'm really proud of the way LaShaunda Pratt stepped up and played tonight," UAB head coach Audra Smith said. "She showed what she has. She's the type of player that can get it done off the bounce, shooting the three, defending and she just did a great job stepping up for us. Jala really stepped up for us too and showed why she's one of the best players in Conference USA."
Harris also had seven assists on the evening to go along with four rebounds. Sophomore guard Amber Jones cracked double digits for the sixth time this season with 14 points, while junior center Meagan Brown blocked four shots and had a game-best eight rebounds.
"Amber came off the bench and gave us a huge lift, and that was important," Smith said. "It was a balanced effort for us and I'm proud of the win."
For Clemson (6-4), guard Kirstyn Wright led the way with 17 points and forward Lindsey Mason added 11.
UAB opened the game with a 7-0 run and dominated the first half thanks in part to senior guard Amanda Peterson's trio of 3-pointers. Peterson inched closer to the school's career 3-point record of 245, now needing just nine to break it. The Blazers finished the game shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc and a season-best 46 percent from the field.
Although the Blazers stretched their lead to as many as 17 in the second half, the Tigers whittled it to two with 24 seconds remaining in the contest.
"The bottom line in a game like this is that teams are going to make a run," Smith said. "I told them you cannot relax. (Clemson) came out and knocked down shots. We weren't as attentive in the second half."
After Harris missed the front end of a one-and-one, Clemson took the ball and drove it down the court looking for a layup, but junior guard Miteka Trueheart stepped in the passing lanes and came up with a key steal with just 12 seconds to go. A quick foul by the Tigers put Harris back at the line and she knocked down a free throw to seal the three-point victory.
Next up for the Blazers is a trip to Mexico where UAB will face Ball State and Illinois State at the Caribbean Classic in Cancun. The Blazers take on the Cardinals Monday at 3:30 p.m. CT and conclude the tournament against the Redbirds Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. CT.
