Long Ball Lifts UAB Over Alcorn State

Friday, November 30

Birmingham, Ala.

6 p.m.

UAB

6-1, 0-0

Alcorn State

0-6, 0-0

Alcorn State

UAB

Long Ball Lifts UAB Over Alcorn State

11/30/2018 9:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

BIRMINGHAM – A season high 13 3-pointers lifted the (RV) UAB women's basketball team to an 80-53 win over Alcorn State on Friday night at Bartow Arena. UAB improved to 6-1 on the season and remained a perfect 4-0 at home.

The Blazers shot 50.8 percent (31-of-61) from the field, including a 41.9 percent (13-of-31) from beyond the arc.

"I told the players that you could not have scripted that game better," head coach Randy Norton said. "Alcorn State challenged us with its rebounding and quickness into the paint, that is an area we need to get better at. We talked before the game about showing up in our half court man and we had to rebound the basketball and I feel like we are getting there."

Four Blazers finished in double figures, led by Rachael Childress' 17 points on a 5-of-8 night from long range. The junior led UAB in scoring for the third time this season as she tallied her 42nd career with 3 or more 3-pointers.

Trista Magee finished behind Childress with a season high 15 points as she led UAB on the glass for the third time this season with eight rebounds. Magee was 6-of-10 from the field, including three shots from beyond the arc.

"Trista's 15 points and eight rebounds speaks for itself," Norton said. "She shot the ball extremely well and played with high energy. I felt like the whole team came out with great focus and great energy. Rebounding was an area that I challenged our team in because we have been getting out rebounded and we have got to get on the boards and take care of the glass."

Deanna Kuzmanic and Katelynn Thomas rounded out the Blazers in double figures with 10 points each. Kuzmanic had netted double figures in every game this season, while Thomas extended her streak of double digit scoring games to six.

For the second consecutive game UAB was awarded a pair of free throws because of pregame technical foul on Alcorn State. Kuzmanic drained both to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead before the opening tip.

UAB opened the game on an 11-2 run, holding Alcorn State scoreless until the 6:44 mark of the first quarter. From that point, the Blazers hit five 3-pointers to net a season high 32 points in the first quarter as they led by 23.

Alcorn State battled back in the second quarter, going on an 11-4 run of its own, holding UAB scoreless for three minutes and cut the Blazers lead to 15. Lea Kerstein broke the dry spell for the Green and Gold with a 3-pointer, but the Lady Braves quickly responded scoring the following two buckets. Alcorn State hit a 3-pointer as time expired in the half to cut UAB's lead to 12, but the Blazers led 41-29 going into the locker room.

The Lady Braves cut the Blazers' lead to eight with 8:36 left in the third quarter, but UAB responded with a 23-9 run to close the quarter as Childress hit three of UAB's five 3-pointers as it led 64-42.

The teams traded baskets to open the final frame, before Magee hit a 3-pointer with 4:48 remaining in the contest to give UAB a 27-point lead, its largest of the contest. The Blazers regained the 27-point lead as time expired en route to the 80-53 win.

De'Asia Brown and Charisma Walker led the Lady Braves with 14 points each, while Diamond Hall finished with a game high 10 rebounds.

UAB returns to action on Wednesday when it takes the short trip over Red Mountain to Samford. Tip between the Blazers and Bulldogs is slated for 6 p.m.

Women's basketball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2018-19 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card includes access to home baseball and softball games in addition to all 10 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).