The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Florida A&M
UAB's Streak Snapped With 69-59 Loss At FAMU
1/2/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2012
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Karisma Chapman and Amber Jones combined for 47 points Monday night, but the UAB women's basketball team saw its eight-game winning streak snapped with a 69-59 loss in its non-conference finale at Florida A&M.
The Blazers (9-3) took a 29-27 lead into the half but were outscored by 12 points over the final 20 minutes by a Florida A&M team that presented a different challenge than any previous opponent during the winning streak.
The Lady Rattlers (8-5) applied full-court pressure defense for the entire game and got out in transition at any opportunity, even after made baskets. Their 69 points were the most allowed this season by UAB, the fourth-best team in the country in scoring defense that hadn't allowed more than 47 points in eight games.
Chapman matched her career-high with 24 points for UAB, including 16 in the second half, while Jones finished with 23. The pair combined to knock down 16 of 29 shots from the floor, but the Blazers shot 38.5 percent as a team for the night.
Florida A&M put four players in double figures, led by Qiana Donald with 16 points. Antonia Bennett added 14 points, Jasmine Grice 13 and Tameka McKelton 10 for the Lady Rattlers. Bennett also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds for a double-double.
FAMU turned 21 UAB turnovers into 22 points and also cleaned up on the offensive glass with 22 offensive rebounds and 20 second-chance points.
"Florida A&M was just hungrier than we were tonight," UAB head coach Audra Smith said. "We looked complacent out there. They were getting to all the loose balls and we didn't get back on defense when they ran and pushed the tempo."
Four quick points from Jones to start the second half gave UAB its biggest lead at 33-27, but a 3-pointer by Kimberly Sparkman -- one of six second-half treys for Florida A&M -- keyed an 18-4 run for the Lady Rattlers to turn the tide.
FAMU's Jamie Foreman capped the run with a play that made you think maybe it wasn't UAB's night. With the shot clock winding down, the post player corralled a loose ball 30 feet from the basket and banked in a 3-pointer as she fell to the ground, putting the Lady Rattlers ahead 45-37.
Florida A&M kept the pressure on, pushing its lead to as many as 17 points and totaling 42 points in the second half, slightly more than UAB was allowing per game during its winning streak.
Monday's loss was the first for UAB since an overtime defeat at McNeese State in the Preseason WNIT on Nov. 19, a month and a half ago.
UAB managed to win nine of 12 games during the non-conference portion of its schedule despite playing just four times at home. The Blazers will now return the Birmingham for their Conference USA opener Thursday against Rice. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT at Bartow Arena.
