The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Florida Atlantic
UAB Outlasts Florida Atlantic, 59-56
3/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Final Stats | Box Score 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - It was a close game that came down to the final seconds, but the UAB women's basketball team was able to hold on for a 59-56 victory over Florida Atlantic to win their six-straight game inside Bartow Arena.
"We're just trying to play our best basketball at the end of the season, we feel like we're getting some momentum going," head coach Randy Norton said. "We've been playing very well as of late. Florida Atlantic is a very difficult matchup for us because they play primarily guards and they shoot the three-pointers really well."
UAB (16-12, 10-7 C-USA) and Florida Atlantic (13-15, 7-10 C-USA) were evenly matched for most of the game with neither team leading by more than seven points. The Blazers and Owls finished 40.4 percent from the field.
The Blazers found their advantage on the inside, with 36 rebounds to just 31 for Florida Atlantic. UAB also outscored the Owls, 24-14, in the paint and scored 15 points off the Owls' turnovers.
"We did some things that I was proud of," Norton remarked. "We held them to 13 points under their average. We turned the ball over ten times in the first half and had just two in the second half to finish with 12. We also kept them to just seven offensive rebounds after giving up 12 at their place."
Senior Janae Smith led the team with 18 points and junior Chelsee Black added 15. Smith just missed a double-double with nine rebounds and sophomore Janeka Williams had a career-high seven boards in the game.
It was a battle from the tip, as both the Owls and the Blazers returned blows for the first three minutes. FAU opened the game by sinking a 3-pointer, which was then matched by senior Miranda Burroughs sinking her first three of the game.
After a turnover by UAB, FAU's Morgan Robinson was able to make a 3-pointer, taking the lead by 18-16 at 13:15. UAB was able to take the lead again after a layup by freshman T'erra Lewis to bring the score to 22-21 at 10:51. The Blazers then went on a 6-0 run over 3:06 to stretch their lead to seven.
UAB suffered a scoring drought for 5:19, which was broken by junior Kayla Anderson with a jump shot giving the Blazers a 26-23 lead. The Owls also suffered a scoring drought during that time, until back-to-back baskets gave Florida Atlantic a 27-26 lead.
The Blazers regained the advantage entering halftime after a layup by Janae Smith, bringing the score to 28-27 at the break.
UAB opened the second half strong, scoring four unanswered points in the first two minutes to go up, 32-27, with 18:26 remaining on the clock. Burroughs sank her second 3-pointer at 14:36, brining the score to 39-34. Black then hit a jumper to match the largest lead of the day for the Blazers, 41-34.
Another scoring drought for UAB allowed Florida Atlantic to cut the lead to four. Black hit a jumper at the 10:20 mark to break the drought as the Blazers were up 45-39.
Both teams were held scoreless for a three minute period, but a jumper by Williams kept UAB out front, 47-41. Florida Atlantic's Morgan Robinson hit a 3-pointer at the 4:47 mark, which cut the lead back to one, 47-46. Robinson added another three to tie the game at 49-49 with 4:21 remaining.
UAB regained the lead after an FAU foul sent Smith to the line. She converted to both free throws to bring the score to, 51-49, with 3:20 remaining. FAU retaliated with a jumper, tying the score again with 2:58 remaining.
The Blazers remained composed and regained the lead after back-to-back layups by Smith and Williams to go ahead 55-51. FAU responded with a layup at 1:48, reducing UAB's lead to two points.
Black went to the line after a foul and made two free throws bringing the score to 57-52 with 29 seconds on the clock. Once again the Owls cut the lead back to one, 57-56, after another three.
Florida Atlantic had a chance to go ahead, but missed a layup and Anderson brought down the rebound and was sent to the free throw line. She hit both to secure the 59-56 win for the Blazers.
UAB will play its final regular season home game this Saturday in Bartow. The Blazers will host FIU at 2 p.m. for Senior Day and Alumni Day.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For women's basketball news, follow @UAB_WBB.
