The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
East Carolina
UAB Edged By East Carolina In Overtime
2/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2014
"As I just told the players in the locker room, I'm really proud of them," said head coach Randy Norton. "I thought we really fought today. We got down 15 in the first half and our girls would not go away. We just kept fighting, scrapping and clawing and got ourselves back in the game."
UAB (12-10, 4-5 C-USA) was down by 15 points with 11:47 remaining in the first half, but used a 19-2 run to claim its first lead of the game, 30-29 with 3:31 to go on a three-pointer by sophomore Chelsee Black.
East Carolina (20-3, 8-2 C-
In the second half, Grimes came out and hit another three to bring UAB within one, but ECU countered with a three of its own to keep the lead at four. The Blazers gained some momentum after they came away with two-straight steals by junior Miranda Burroughs who found senior Karisma Chapman for layups to tie the game up at 45-45.
A basket by the Pirates gave them back the lead but Burroughs hit her second three of the day to swing the score back in UAB's favor. Shortly after, Chapman took control with a layup and then a jumper after a block on the other end to give the Blazers a 52-47 lead with 12:13 remaining in the game.
UAB would eventually stretch its lead to eight after another three from Burroughs but
Both teams traded baskets until the Pirates were able to pull away, 66-63, with 3:59 remaining in the game. Sophomore Brittany Winborne hit a layup then Grimes scored a three from the wing to give UAB a 68-66 lead. ECU's Tatiana Chapple came up with a steal that turned into a fast break layup to tie the game up and send it to overtime.
The Blazers were on the board first in the extra period after a layup by Winborne, but
"We are just a few possessions away from being a really good team - a couple more layups made here, post shot, free throws, a box out here or there," stated Norton. "We are right there. I'm really proud of their fight though. That's what we talked about, we don't talk about winning or losing, we talk about the things we can control, and that's playing hard, playing smart, playing together and having fun."
Chapman led UAB with 28 points on the night. Grimes finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Winborne had 10 points and 10 rebounds, both earning their first career-double-double. Black and Burroughs each added 11 points on the night.
Shae Nelson finished with 27 points leading
The Blazers finished 41.7 percent from the field and dished out 20 assists, while holding
"There was a time there that we had Bartow rocking like I've never seen it since I've been here, and that's our goal to get this program to have an atmosphere like that," Norton remarked. "I'm proud of them."
UAB will remain at home as it hosts UTSA on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The game is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. CT.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For women's basketball news, follow @UAB_WBB.
