Blazers Continue Homestand with North Texas on Saturday

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB women's basketball team looks to return to its winning form on Saturday as the Green and Gold hosts the North Texas Mean Green in Bartow Arena at 2 p.m. CST.

A win over the Mean Green will secure the Blazers' ninth home victory of the season, matching last season's home win total while tying for the third-most home triumphs in a season under head coach Randy Norton.

"We had a good day of practice on Friday and I feel like everyone is locked in and ready to go," Norton said. "As I have said before, there is a lot of season left, so we just have to continue to play our hardest and trust the process."

UAB (14-3, 3-1) saw its seven-game win streak come to an end on Thursday evening as the Blazers suffered an 80-63 setback to Southern Miss. Sophomore Rachael Childress led the way in the loss, scoring 19 points on an impressive 6-for-10 shooting effort. Miyah Barnes (13) and Imani Johnson (10) also scored in double figures for the Blazers.

Childress continues to be a force for the Green and Gold this season as she leads the team with 14.5 points per game. She has also been a major threat behind the arc, ranking eighth in the NCAA in 3-point field goal percentage at 48.1 percent. The sophomore is just eight made 3-pointers away from sole possession of seventh place on the school's career made 3-point field goals list.

The Blazers' unselfish play has continued to be a staple of their success, led by Barnes and junior Deanna Kuzmanic. Barnes currently leads the team in assists with 82 on the year, while Kuzmanic is tops in Conference USA with a 2.6 assist/turnover ratio. The team boasts a 1.4 assist/turnover ratio, which is also the best in the league.

North Texas (11-6, 2-3) is coming off a 56-48 setback on the road against Middle Tennessee. Terriell Bradley paced the Mean Green in the defeat with 10 points and seven boards.

Bradley has been North Texas' offensive catalyst, averaging 17.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Lauren Holmes is the only other Mean Green player averaging in double figures, pouring in 10.6 points per contest, while Micayla Buckner leads the charge on the glass with 6.2 rebounds per game.

The two teams are meeting for just the eighth time, with the Mean Green leading the all-time series, 6-1, dating back to the 2000-01 season. UAB is looking to avenge last season's double overtime defeat at the hands of North Texas in the C-USA Championship, while also looking for its first win against the Mean Green since Feb. 12, 2015.

UAB will celebrate its former players on Saturday as the team hosts its annual Alumni Day. There will be a special ceremony at halftime to honor the program's former players and coaches, including a special recognition of the 1990-91 and 1991-92 teams which hold the school record for the most wins a single season.

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).

Blazers Continue Homestand with North Texas on Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Miyah Barnes

Rachael Childress

Imani Johnson

Deanna Kuzmanic

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics