The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Marshall
Blazers Cruise To 74-46 Win Over Marshall
1/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 30, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Sophomore guard Amber Jones scored a season-high 22 points as the UAB women's basketball team rolled over Marshall, 74-46, on Sunday afternoon at Bartow Arena. Jones also grabbed six rebounds to go along with three steals and three assists.
"It was (Amber's) night," UAB head coach Audra Smith said. "She had the hot hand and she was ready to knock down the shot. She played an all-around game on the offensive and defensive end. I always talk about feeding the beast, and Amber was a beast in there tonight."
Freshman forward Destiny Samuels netted a career-high 10 points, all of which came in the first half, as UAB improved to 10-11 overall and 2-6 in Conference USA action. Samuels was one of eight Blazers to come up with at least one steal, as UAB collected a season-high 20 steals in the contest. Guards LaShaunda Pratt, Khalilah Watson and LaKenya Lowe led the way with four steals each.
The Blazers also forced a season-best 30 turnovers and capitalized on the takeaways, scoring 34 points off turnovers compared to Marshall's seven points. UAB turned the ball over just 13 times.
"Amber did a phenomenal job, along with LaShaunda, pressuring their guards," Smith said. "That initial ball pressure that our guards put on (Marshall's) guards in the back court really helped jumpstart our offense with some easy transition buckets. I'm really proud of the balanced attack we had tonight."
For Marshall (5-15, 1-6 C-USA), forward Tynikki Crook led the way with 13 points and six rebounds. Guard Tessa Johnson added 10 points and four assists.
It was a battle early on, as UAB led by just one with 8:03 remaining in the first half. That's when the Blazers hit their stride, reeling off eight unanswered points sparked by a Jones steal and dish to freshman forward Karisma Chapman. Chapman finished the contest with nine points, two steals and a career-high three blocked shots.
The Blazers stretched their lead to 12 at the break, taking a 40-28 lead into halftime. UAB didn't let up in the second half, opening the frame with a 17-8 run to go up by 21 with 7:54 to play. The Blazers continued to cruise through the second half, leading by as many as 30 before capturing the 28-point victory.
With the win, UAB snaps a three-game skid as the Blazers head to UTEP this weekend. The Blazers and Miners square off Sunday at 1:05 p.m. MT/2:05 p.m. CT.
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