The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Southern Miss
Blazers Cruise To 74-45 Victory Over Southern Miss
2/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 13, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A trio of UAB women's basketball players scored double figures, led by senior guard Amanda Peterson's 20, as the Blazers rolled to a 74-45 win over Southern Miss on Sunday afternoon at Bartow Arena. Junior guard LaShaunda Pratt added 18 points, three assists and two steals, while sophomore guard Amber Jones chipped in 17 points, three assists and four steals.
"I'm very proud of the way we played as a team," UAB head coach Audra Smith said. "They did a phenomenal job on the defensive end, which really took the pressure off of us on the offensive end and enabled us to have some good possessions.
"Our guard play also was phenomenal. I can't say enough about LaShaunda and Amber. And Amanda is playing like a senior that won't be denied. She's doing everything she can to make sure her season goes as long as possible. I'm so proud of her and the effort she gives this team."
The Blazers (13-11, 5-6 C-USA) finished the game shooting at a 49 percent clip, their best performance of the season, including hitting 56 percent of their shots from beyond the arc and scoring 30 points in the paint. Not only did UAB's offense step up against the Lady Eagles, but the league's best defense continued to suffocate its opponent, holding Southern Miss (9-15, 4-7 C-USA) to 17 first-half points and 32 percent shooting the contest. The Blazers also forced 22 turnovers and turned those into 34 points, compared to the Lady Eagles' 16 points off 12 UAB turnovers.
Along with the trio of double-digit scorers, UAB also had a solid outing from sophomore guard Khalilah Watson with seven assists and junior center Meagan Brown with six points, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Forward Tanesha Washington posted a double-double to lead the Lady Eagles with 11 points and 17 rebounds. Guard Jamierra Faulkner also scored double figures with 11 points.
UAB wasted little time taking control of the game, going on an 18-5 run over a nine-minute span in the first half to take a 14-point lead at the 7:30 mark. The Blazers continued to pour it on late in the frame, as Peterson netted six of her 15 first-half points in the final 4:11 of the early period to give UAB a 19-point lead at halftime.
The Blazers didn't let up in the second half. Although Southern Miss pulled within 14 points at the 15:08 mark, it was as close as the Lady Eagles would get the rest of the way. UAB led by as many as 30 in the second period thanks to 58 percent shooting in the frame.
UAB begins a two-game road swing on Thursday, traveling to Marshall to take on the Thundering Herd. The Blazers and Herd tip off at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT in Huntington, W. Va.
