UAB Welcomes Mississippi Valley State for Regular Season Opener

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After dominant performances in its two exhibition games, the UAB women's basketball team officially opens the 2017-18 regular season as it welcomes Mississippi Valley State to Bartow Arena at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

"Our girls are extremely excited to open the regular season against Mississippi Valley State," head coach Randy Norton said. "We saw a lot of really good things in our two exhibition games and in the offseason. I am pleased with where the team is right now and I am excited for the season to begin."

Norton returns a young and experienced squad that was picked to finish seventh in the conference by the league's head coaches. UAB welcomes back three starters from last season's team in Deanna Kuzmanic, Miyah Barnes and Rachael Childress, as well as seven letterwinners in Whytney Singleton, Angela Vendrell, Katelynn Thomas, T'erra Lewis, Kara Rawls, Maya Garland and Imani Johnson.

The team also adds three newcomers in Talia Roldan, Lea Kerstein and Alabama transfer Trista Magee.

UAB opened its 2017-18 campaign with two huge victories in exhibition games against Montevallo (113-20) and Judson College (126-51). The Blazers outscored their two opponents 239-71 and averaged 119.5 points per contest

The Blazers have been extremely successful at Bartow Arena during non-conference play under Norton as the Green and Gold boast an 18-4 record in those games. UAB is also an impressive 26-13 in home openers, including a 3-1 mark under Norton.

Mississippi Valley State returns 11 letterwinners from last season's squad that finished 10-20 overall and 7-11 in the SWAC. UAB leads the all-time series over the Devilettes, 8-0, with the Blazers winning the last meeting 80-46 on Nov. 11, 2016.

Led by first-year head coach Ashley Walker, the Devilettes will be without their two leading scorers from last season in Christina Reed (16.8) and Ashley Beals (16.1). The team returns junior Kristy Parker who was the team's third-leading scorer last season, averaging 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

For tickets, UAB fans have the opportunity to purchase a Gold Card which allows access to six different sports, including women's basketball, baseball and softball, throughout the upcoming season.

A single admission Gold Card is $65, while a dual admission card can be purchased for $120, admission for three is $165, and a 4-pack of Gold Cards is $200. Fans who purchase a Gold Card will be given a membership card they show to gain admission into each specific event. Fans can purchase a Gold Card at the UAB Athletics Ticket Office located at Bartow Arena, or by calling 205-975-UAB1.

Single game tickets are also available for purchase at the door at Bartow Arena. Tickets for adults are $5 while youth 18 and under are $3. Contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information via phone at (205) 975-UAB1 (205-975-8221) or via email at tickets@uab.edu.

For more information on the UAB women's basketball team follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB), Instagram (UAB_WBBALL) or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABWBB).

UAB Welcomes Mississippi Valley State for Regular Season Opener

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Players Mentioned

Miyah Barnes

Rachael Childress

Maya Garland

Imani Johnson

Lea Kerstein

Deanna Kuzmanic

T'erra Lewis

Kara Rawls

Whytney Singleton

Katelynn Thomas

Angela Vendrell

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics