UAB Remains Unbeaten With 90-45 Win at Chicago State

Tuesday, November 20

Chicago, Ill.

12 p.m.

UAB

3-0

Chicago State

0-5

UAB

Chicago State

UAB Remains Unbeaten With 90-45 Win at Chicago State

11/20/2018 2:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

CHICAGO – The UAB women's basketball team improved to 3-0 on the season with a 90-45 win at Chicago State on Tuesday afternoon.

The Blazers have started the season 3-0 for the sixth time in program history and have done it in consecutive years for the first time since the 1980 and 1981 seasons.

"That was a lot of fun for our kids," head coach Randy Norton said. "Half of our team is from this area so for them to be able to come out and play in front of family and friends was a treat. We really appreciate the turnout by all of the family and friends."

UAB came out of the gates firing as Katelynn Thomas sparked a 13-4 run with a field goal in the opening minute of the game. Rachael Childress and Deanna Kuzmanic continued the hot start as the duo combined to hit three 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, while the Blazers hit five in frame to lead 30-14 after the first quarter.

The offense continued to pour in as Childress hit another pair of 3-pointers to begin the second quarter. UAB went on a 14-3 run to start the second quarter before the defense took over, holding Chicago State to just eight points in the frame as UAB scored a season-best 52 points in the first half to lead 52-22 at the break.

The Blazers scored the first four points of the second half, but the Cougars battled back to chip into the UAB lead. The squads traded shots as Chicago State outscored UAB 17-16 in the third quarter, but the Blazers held a 68-39 advantage.

UAB closed the game on a 22-6 run as the Blazers outscored in the Cougars 8-0 in the paint, 3-0 off turnovers and 5-0 on fast breaks en route to the 45-point win.

Thomas led UAB offensively as the Birmingham native finished with 16 points and seven rebounds. The junior has led the Blazers on the boards in two games this season, while she led the Green and Gold in scoring for the fourth time in her career.

Kuzmanic, Childress and Imani Johnson also netted doubles figures. Kuzmanic scored 15 points on a 3-for-3 night from long range and added four assists. Childress netted 14, while grabbing a season-high six rebounds and dished out four assists. Johnson found the double figure scoring column for the first time this season with 11 points , while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe.

"Katie is just getting better game-by-game, day-by-day," Norton said. "She had 16 points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes so I am really pleased with her. Rachael shot the ball well, everyone contributed. Deanna was 5-of-7 from the field, 3-of-3 from the 3-point line, 15 points and four assists. Miyah Barnes continued to do what she does with seven assists and four turnovers. Everybody got to play quality minutes and we told our players we want to get better game-by-game and day-by-day."

Conference USA's leader in assist, the Blazers dished out 21 today to bring its season total to 64 as it averages 21.3 per game.

Taylor Robinson led Chicago State with 13 points, while Ines Mata Boix finished with 19 rebounds.

"As a coach there is always things you want to get better at," Norton said. "But we are going to focus on enjoying this time with the family and friends and start making our way to the Bahamas."

The Blazers return to action on Thursday, Nov. 22 when they face Oklahoma in the Junkanoo Jam. Tipoff is set for 4:15 p.m. CST from Bimini, Bahamas. Pending the results of the game, UAB will either face Clemson or Tennessee on Nov. 23 or 24. The time for those games has yet to be determined.

Women's basketball season tickets are available by purchasing the 2018-19 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card includes access to home volleyball, baseball and softball games in addition to all 12 of women's basketball's remaining home contests. Contact the UAB Ticket Office, (205) 975-UAB1, for more details.

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