UAB Seeks History with Win Against Tuskegee

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Riding one of its best starts to a season in program history, the UAB women's basketball team will cap off its historic non-conference slate against in-state foe Tuskegee on Saturday in Bartow Arena at 6:30 p.m.

A win over the Golden Tigers would give the Blazers their best non-conference finish in the C-USA era at 11-2 (.846), edging out the 9-3 (.750) mark posted by the 2011-12 squad that went on to finish the season 19-11. The 1994-95 team posted the program's best-ever non-conference finish at 12-2 (.857).

"I am very pleased with how we have performed up to this point in non-conference play," head coach Randy Norton said. "It has prepared us to compete for a conference championship. We gave our team four days off to be with their families over Christmas and tomorrow's game will be great preparation for conference play beginning next week."

The Green and Gold are coming off an exhilarating 78-66 road win against South Alabama, improving the Blazers' record to 5-0 against opponents from the Yellowhammer State. Rachael Childress led the way for the Blazers, pouring in 27 points and hauling in six rebounds in the victory.

Sophomore Miyah Barnes added 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the floor against the Jaguars, while Deanna Kuzmanic rounded out the Blazers' double-digit scoring by adding 12 points along with a game-high six assists.

UAB's offense has been lights out through the opening half of its schedule as it is currently second in the league in scoring offense (74.0 ppg) and first in scoring margin (+14.8). The ability to shoot the deep ball has been key in the offense's success as the Blazers also lead the league in 3-point shooting percentage (41.0).

Childress has captained the barrage of 3-pointers made as she ranks first in C-USA in both 3-point field goal percentage (47.7) and 3-point field goals made (3.5), both of which are ranked 16^th nationally.

The Blazers have also continued to be extremely unselfish this season as the team leads C-USA in both assists (16.6) and assist/turnover ratio (1.3). Kuzmanic and Barnes lead the way in both categories as Kuzmanic's 2.8 assist/turnover ratio is the best in the league and 25^th-best in the nation, while Barnes has the second-best ratio in the league at 2.3 and leads the team in assists with 54.

Tuskegee (2-9) is coming off its second win of the season, a 59-51 victory on the road against SIAC-foe For Valley State. Jade Wilson was dominant in the win, finishing the game with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Wilson leads the Golden Tigers in both scoring (13.1 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg).

The Golden Tigers lead the all-time series over the Blazers, 3-0, with the last regular-season meeting coming on Jan. 7, 1980. The two programs most recently met in an exhibition game on Nov. 3, 2016, which UAB won 88-67.

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 Seeks History with Win Against Tuskegee

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Players Mentioned

Miyah Barnes

Rachael Childress

Deanna Kuzmanic

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics