The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Thursday, December 20
Fort Myers, Fla.
4 p.m.
UAB
vs
Coppin State
UAB Set for Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic
12/19/2018 2:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – The (RV) UAB women's basketball team will face its second tournament test of the season when it takes on Coppin State and Florida Gulf Coast in the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic on Thursday and Friday.
UAB (9-1) opens the tournament on Thursday against Coppin State at 4 p.m. CST. The two day tournament concludes when UAB faces, host, Florida Gulf Coast on Friday at 6 p.m. CST.
The Blazers are coming off a 62-47 win at Alabama State on Sunday. Sixth year head coach Randy Norton notched his 100th career win in the victory as three Blazers finished the game in double figures.
Among those in double figures was Deanna Kuzmanic who has netted double digit points in all 10 games this season. The senior leads the squad in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per contest, while shooting the second best 3-point field goal percentage in Conference USA with a 51.4 percent (19-of-37) mark.
UAB leads C-USA in scoring with 79.4 points per game and scoring defense only allowing 55.3 points per contest, to average the 11th high scoring margin (+24.1) in the NCAA.
A large reason for the offensive success is the Blazers ability to shoot the 3-point shot, ranking 23rd nationally in 3-point field goals per game (9.2). Rachael Childress ranks second in the league, knocking down 3.3 shots from long range, while the Moulton, Ala., native ranks 16th nationally with 33 triples made this season.
Miyah Barnes has proven herself capable of sharing the basketball as she ranks fifth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.9) and 12th in total assists (62). As a squad, UAB boasts the third best assist-to-turnover ratio in the nation (1.6) and ranks 20th in assists per game (18.4).
Coppin State heads to the tournament losers of nine straight and is still in search of its first win of the season. The Eagles are averaging 50.4 points per game, while allowing 80.3 and are losing contests by an average of 29.9 points per contest.
Chance Graham leads the Coppin State offense, averaging a double double on the season with 16.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. The junior forward is coming off a season high 31 point performance against Niagara on Dec. 15.
Florida Gulf Coast sits at 8-2 on the season and are winners of six consecutive contests, including an 81-65 win over Abilene Christian on Monday night but will be playing its third game in five days when it meets UAB. The Eagles rank in the top 50 nationally in a variety of offensive categories, including second in 3-point field goals per game (12.5) and 3-point field goals made (125).
Keri Jewett-Giles leads the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game. The Southern Miss graduate transfer has netted double figures in all but two games this season and finished with a career high 22 against American on Nov. 25.
The Blazers have no prior history with either Coppin State or Florida Gulf Coast as they begin a three-game stretch in which they have never faced off against their opponents.
Tickets to the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic can be purchased at the entrance of Alico Arena or online at FGCUAthletics.com.
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).
UAB (9-1) opens the tournament on Thursday against Coppin State at 4 p.m. CST. The two day tournament concludes when UAB faces, host, Florida Gulf Coast on Friday at 6 p.m. CST.
The Blazers are coming off a 62-47 win at Alabama State on Sunday. Sixth year head coach Randy Norton notched his 100th career win in the victory as three Blazers finished the game in double figures.
Among those in double figures was Deanna Kuzmanic who has netted double digit points in all 10 games this season. The senior leads the squad in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per contest, while shooting the second best 3-point field goal percentage in Conference USA with a 51.4 percent (19-of-37) mark.
UAB leads C-USA in scoring with 79.4 points per game and scoring defense only allowing 55.3 points per contest, to average the 11th high scoring margin (+24.1) in the NCAA.
A large reason for the offensive success is the Blazers ability to shoot the 3-point shot, ranking 23rd nationally in 3-point field goals per game (9.2). Rachael Childress ranks second in the league, knocking down 3.3 shots from long range, while the Moulton, Ala., native ranks 16th nationally with 33 triples made this season.
Miyah Barnes has proven herself capable of sharing the basketball as she ranks fifth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.9) and 12th in total assists (62). As a squad, UAB boasts the third best assist-to-turnover ratio in the nation (1.6) and ranks 20th in assists per game (18.4).
Coppin State heads to the tournament losers of nine straight and is still in search of its first win of the season. The Eagles are averaging 50.4 points per game, while allowing 80.3 and are losing contests by an average of 29.9 points per contest.
Chance Graham leads the Coppin State offense, averaging a double double on the season with 16.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. The junior forward is coming off a season high 31 point performance against Niagara on Dec. 15.
Florida Gulf Coast sits at 8-2 on the season and are winners of six consecutive contests, including an 81-65 win over Abilene Christian on Monday night but will be playing its third game in five days when it meets UAB. The Eagles rank in the top 50 nationally in a variety of offensive categories, including second in 3-point field goals per game (12.5) and 3-point field goals made (125).
Keri Jewett-Giles leads the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game. The Southern Miss graduate transfer has netted double figures in all but two games this season and finished with a career high 22 against American on Nov. 25.
The Blazers have no prior history with either Coppin State or Florida Gulf Coast as they begin a three-game stretch in which they have never faced off against their opponents.
Tickets to the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic can be purchased at the entrance of Alico Arena or online at FGCUAthletics.com.
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).
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
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