Blazers Host Florida Atlantic on Fun-Filled Saturday

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After a thrilling road victory over FIU on Thursday evening, the UAB women's basketball team returns to Bartow Arena looking to sweep the Sunshine State for the fourth time in program history as it hosts Florida Atlantic on Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Blazers are currently on a five-game winning streak over opponents from the state of Florida following their 71-61 win over the Panthers, while they are a combined 16-5 against both C-USA schools, including a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series over Florida Atlantic.

"Florida Atlantic is playing well this season," head coach Randy Norton said. "We are going to have to get back, stop the basketball and get to their shooters for 40 minutes. They are extremely good in transition and shoot the deep-ball well. On offense, we will have to take care of the basketball and get some second and third opportunities by crashing the boards. It will be a good test for us at home."

It was Kara Rawls who stole the headlines in the Blazers' win over the Panthers as the senior recorded her third career double-double after finishing the game with 15 points and a career-high 20 rebounds. Sophomore Rachael Childress and junior Deanna Kuzmanic added 13 points and 12 points, respectively, in the win.

Childress continues to pace the UAB attack, averaging 14.5 points per contest, while shooting 45.3 percent from behind arc, the 10^th-best 3-point shooting percentage in the nation. The sophomore continues to be a force in the scoring column as she has scored in double figures in 16 of the Blazers' 19 games.

Kuzmanic continues to lead C-USA in assist/turnover ratio at 2.6, while Barnes is the team's leading ball-sharer with 94 assists on the season. Combined, the duo has guided UAB to a 1.4 team assist/turnover ratio, which is ranked 10^th nationally.

Florida Atlantic is coming off a monster road win of its own as the Owls took down UTSA 99-65. Ra'Kyra Gabriel paced four players in double figures, three of whom scored over 20 points, with 27 points and nine rebounds.

The Owl attack is led by Sasha Cedeno, who is tops on the team in scoring (18.9 ppg) and rebounds (8.5 rpg). Danneal Ford and Tyana Robinson join Cedeno as double-figure performers, averaging 12.6 points and 11.5 points, respectively.

The programs will be meeting for the 10^th time in series history when they take the hardwood on Thursday afternoon. The Blazers are an impressive 4-1 at home against the Owls and have won the last two meetings over FAU, including a 78-75 road win in Boca Raton on March 2, 2017.

The team will take part in inaugural Ever Faithful 5K on Saturday morning which is being put on in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The national event celebrates the importance of fair play, building awareness about Title IX and working together toward its promise of equal opportunity in sports.

Both the men's and women's programs will participate in Family Fun Day during their respective games on Saturday afternoon, celebrating all the Blazer families that do so much to support both programs.

Race participants will receive tickets as part of their registration fee, while fans who purchase an adult ticket for the game will receive one additional ticket for a child for free.

The event is $25 for adults and $15 for all youth and UAB students and employees. To sign up for this great event visit UABSports.com/Tickets. For additional information on the Ever Faithful 5K, please contact UAB Athletics at SportsPromo@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).

Blazers Host Florida Atlantic on Fun-Filled Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Rachael Childress

Deanna Kuzmanic

Kara Rawls

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics