The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
East Carolina
Stifling Defense Leads UAB to Victory over East Carolina
2/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Freshman guard Jala Harris scored 18 points and junior guard Amanda Peterson chipped in 16 as UAB knocked off the East Carolina Lady Pirates, 65-57, on Thursday night at Bartow Arena. The Blazers (12-14, 6-8 C-USA) held the Lady Pirates (18-9, 7-7 C-USA) to 30 percent shooting en route to their first win over ECU in the last seven meetings.
"This game was about pride and finding a way to win," UAB head coach Audra Smith said. "The big thing tonight was our energy level. We were very aggressive on the defensive end, we got stops and I was very proud of that. I told them that ECU might make a run in the second half, and they did, but I am really proud of this team and how we kept our composure and knocked down free throws and shots."
Harris reached double figures for the 10th time in the last 11 games and the 20th time this season, while Peterson has cracked double digits in three of the last four contests and 11 times on the season. Peterson's four 3-pointers gave her 200 for her career and also moved her into a tie for seventh place with Southern Miss' Kendra Reed on C-USA's career treys list.
"I am really proud of how Amanda stepped up on the defensive and offensive end," Smith said.
Senior forward Tamika Dukes also scored double figures for the 22nd time this season with 11 points. She has reached double digits in all but two contests in which she has appeared.
Sophomore forward Shelly Breaux was a force inside for the Blazers, leading the team with six rebounds while also chipping in four points. Sophomore guard Miteka Trueheart matched her season-high with eight points and pulled down five boards.
The Blazers were hot in the first half, shooting 50 percent before finishing the game shooting 38.2 percent from the field. UAB forced 20 turnovers while turning the ball over 14 times, including just four times in the second half.
UAB led the majority of the first half, stretching its lead to as many as 12 before heading into the break with a nine-point advantage. Both Harris and Peterson had 10 points at the break.
The Lady Pirates opened the second half with a 22-6 run to take an eight-point lead with 11:21 to play. UAB, though, responded with a 15-3 run, sparked by Peterson's fourth trey, to regain the lead, 47-46, with 7:14 left.
The Blazers began to pull away, stretching the margin to eight points with 1:59 remaining. ECU was able to cut UAB's lead to three points at the 1:15 mark, but that was as close as the Lady Pirates would get.
