UAB Improves to 7-1 With Win at Samford

Wednesday, December 5

Birmingham, Ala.

6 p.m.

UAB

7-1

Samford

3-6

UAB

Samford

UAB Improves to 7-1 With Win at Samford

12/5/2018 8:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

HOMEWOOD, Ala. – The (RV) UAB women's basketball team claimed Birmingham bragging rights for another year as it defeated Samford 66-41 on the road at the Pete Hanna Center on Wednesday night.

The win improved UAB to 7-1 marking the second consecutive season to accomplish the feat, while the victory also made the Blazers 6-2 all time against the Bulldogs and was their first win on the road in the series.

"I am really pleased with the win at Samford," head coach Randy Norton said. "This is a place that we have never won at so it is nice to get a win against a team that is extremely well coached. Samford plays real tough man defense and will win a lot of games this year."

A red hot UAB offense shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58) from the field, while holding Samford to just 24.5 percent (13-of-53). Conference USA's leader in 3-point field goal defense, the Blazers managed to allow just three Bulldog 3-pointers, marking the fifth time this season UAB has held a team to three or fewer 3-pointers made.

Deanna Kuzmanic recorded a season-high 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, including 1-of-2 from three-point range and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

Miyah Barnes recorded 10 points on a 5-of-10 night from the field to go along with four assists, five steals and a pair of rebounds.

Katleynn Thomas was the third Blazer to finish in double figures, matching Barnes' 10 points. The Birmingham native has scored double digits in the six consecutive games.

"Deanna has been consistent all year long," Norton said. "She prepares every single day to do her absolute best whether it is at practice, in the weight room or the classroom she is always going to give 100 percent and it is great to see it pay off on the court."

Neither team found the scoring column until Samford hit a layup 2:44 into the game and then added a free throw to take a 3-0 lead. From there it was all UAB for the remainder of the quarter as Barnes rattled off four unanswered to give the Blazers their first lead of the game. The Green and Gold held the Bulldogs to 1-of-16 from the field in the opening frame and led 10-6 after the opening 10 minutes.

UAB opened the second quarter on a 9-2 run capped off by a 3-pointer from Rachael Childress before Samford called timeout at the 7:06 mark in the frame. The Blazers came out of the timeout and rattled off the next four points, stretching their lead to 17. Samford battled back to cut the lead down to 12, but Kuzmanic hit a 3-pointer as time expired in the half to give UAB a 32-15 lead going into the locker room at the break.

After Samford opened the second half with the first bucket, the UAB offense took back over to score the next four points to take a 20-point lead before the media timeout. The Blazers came out of the break to close the frame a 9-4 run and led 48-26 after the third quarter.

Kuzmanic opened fourth quarter scoring with a pair of free throws to push the UAB lead to 24, 50-26. With just under five minutes to play in the game, the Blazers converted on three consecutive attempts, the first two by Thomas and the third by Sara Rosenfeldt, putting the Green and Gold up by 25, 62-37, and thwarting any chance of a Samford comeback in the final minutes.

"Tonight was another win on the schedule, but anytime you are playing a team from Birmingham you want to win," Norton said. "We want this to become a rivalry and I think that it is good for Birmingham. Hopefully we can get some more fans to come out and have some other teams play Samford as well."

UAB returns to the friendly confines of Bartow Arena for a Saturday matinee against McNeese State before taking a week off for final exams. Tipoff between the Blazers and Cowgirls is set for 2 p.m.

Women's basketball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2018-19 Gold Card for $65. The Golf 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).