The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Women's Basketball Welcomes UNCG
12/29/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Hoping to build on a 56-51 win against UT Martin last Saturday, the UAB women’s basketball team returns home to face UNCG at 2 p.m. CT Sunday.
The Blazers, who are 8-3 overall on the year, face a UNCG squad that is 3-7 overall after suffering a 93-63 loss to No. 23 Florida State on Dec. 22
Sunday’s game represents the last non-conference contest for the Spartans and is UAB’s third of a four-game home stand. The Blazers host UT-Chattanooga on Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT before opening Conference USA play at UCF on Jan. 10.
Game Information
UAB vs. UNCG
Dec. 30, 2012 – 2 p.m. CT
Bartow Arena – Birmingham, Ala.
Follow the Blazers
Fans can follow a video and audio broadcast of the action on www.uabsports.com with Reid Adair and Laura Waldrop calling the game. Those interested can also follow along on Twitter (@UAB_WBB or @UABathletics).
Series Information
UAB leads 1-0
>> UAB and UNCG meet for just the second time in school history on Sunday. The Blazers took the only contest between the two programs in last season’s 72-42 road win on Dec. 6, 2011.
UAB Notes
Three Losses Heading Into C-USA
>> UAB is trying to enter Conference USA play with three losses or less for the second-consecutive season. Last year, the Blazers entered C-USA action with a 9-3 overall record before winning four-straight to begin the conference slate. Previous to last year’s win total, the last time UAB entered conference action with three or less losses came in the 2000-01 season.
All About Defense
>> The Blazers currently rank second in Conference-USA in scoring defense. UAB has allowed just 51.6 points per game this season, good for second in the league behind East Carolina’s 51.3 points per contest. The Green and Gold rank second in field goal percentage defense (.348) and 3-point pct. defense (.239) and third in scoring margin (+12.0).
Blazers Stop Two-Game Skid
>> After jumping out to a 7-1 start to begin the year (best since 1994-95), UAB lost two-straight by a combined 10 points. In those two games, the Blazers were held below 60 points and held leads of nine against George Mason and 13 against Morehead State. UAB rebounded for a 56-51 win against UT Martin last Saturday (Dec. 22).
It’s A Steal!
>> UAB came into Christmas break ranked No. 6 overall in NCAA Division I women’s basketball with a 14.6 steals per game average. Chapman leads the Blazers with 3.3 steals per game. UAB is now averaging 13.1 per game.
Newcomers Stepping Up
>> UAB has eight newcomers on this year’s team and they have proved pivotal so far in 2012. Freshman Chelsee Black has seen playing time in all 11 of the Blazers’ games. Meanwhile, newcomer and junior guard/forward Ashley Grimes has scored in double figures in four of the six games she has started for the Blazers.
Jones, Chapman Lead Blazers
>> Senior guard Amber Jones and junior forward Karisma Chapman are the lone Blazers averaging double-figures in scoring this season. Jones paces the Blazers with a 14.1 points per game average, while Chapman boasts 13.8 points per outing.
Grimes Shines in Starts
>> In her first season as a Blazer, junior forward Ashley Grimes has found herself in the starting lineup for the last six games. The Selma, Ala., native has scored in double figures in four of those games, including 18 second-half points against George Mason on Dec. 2.
Chapman Approaching 1,000
>> Junior Karisma Chapman now has 788 points in her UAB career and needs just 240 to reach 1,000. She would be the 26th player in Blazer history to net 1,000 points.
