Blazers Host Charlotte on Breast Cancer Awareness Day

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Riding a wave of momentum after notching its 11th home victory of the season on Thursday night, the UAB women's basketball team welcomes Charlotte to Bartow Arena on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. tip.

Riding a seven-game winning streak, rv/- UAB (21-3, 10-1) maintains its position in first place in Conference USA, holding a one-game edge over WKU and a two-game edge over Rice. The Blazers hold the tiebreaker over both teams.

"For us, the next game is the most important game," head coach Randy Norton said. "Tomorrow, Charlotte is the most important game of the season. If our girls will continue to focus on one-game-at-a-time and play to the best of their ability, they are going to continually put themselves in a position to be successful."

The Green and Gold battled their way to win No. 21 over Rice, thwarting a late comeback effort by the Owls to preserve a 70-63 victory. UAB held the nation's 19^th-ranked 3-point shooting team to just 16.7 percent (3-for-18), while forcing 14 Owl turnovers.

Three Blazers scored in double figures in the win, paced by Miyah Barnes, who continued her steady play from the point guard position as she poured in 18-points and doled out two assists to bring her season total to 119.

Rachael Childress continued her hot play, adding 17 points of her own, the 20^th time she has scored in double figures this season, while Katelynn Thomas finished the game with 10 points in her sixth start of the year.

Childress remains the leader of the offense, averaging 15.0 points a game and dominating from behind the arc. Her 47.2 shooting percentage from long range is on pace to set the school record for individual single-season 3-point field goal percentage, while it also ranks fifth in the NCAA to date.

The sophomore's 84 made triples have helped guide UAB to 206 made 3-pointers, just 13 shy of the all-time record for the most 3-point baskets (219) made in a single season in program history.

Junior Deanna Kuzmanic is tops in the league in assist/turnover ratio through 24 games at 2.6, followed by a 2.4 assist/turnover ratio by Barnes, who also leads the team and is second in C-USA in total assists with 119.

The duo has guided UAB to the fifth-best assist/turnover ratio in the nation at 1.5, a mark that is currently on pace to break the school record in that category.

Charlotte enters the contest riding a four-game winning streak, including an impressive 64-51 road victory over Louisiana Tech on Thursday. Nyilah Jamison-Myers paced the 49ers with her third double-double of the year, scoring 13 points and bringing down 11 rebounds.

Junior Laia Raventós leads four players averaging double figures with 14.6 points per game, while also leading the team in rebounds (5.6 rpg) and steals (2.7 spg).

The two programs will meet for the 32^nd time when they play on Saturday with UAB holding a slim 16-15 advantage in the all-time series. The Blazers have won the last three meetings between the two programs, including last season's 88-81 triumph on Feb. 9, 2017, in Charlotte.

The Blazers will celebrate their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day during the game and are encouraging all fans in attendance to wear pink. There will also be a special ceremony at halftime where a Ribbon of Hope will be created on the court in honor of those who have done battle with breast cancer.

Single game tickets for the Blazers' remaining home games are currently on sale and can be purchased online or by calling the UAB Ticket Office at 205-975-8221. Fans can also purchase a Gold Card for admission to women's basketball games.

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 Charlotte on Breast Cancer Awareness Day

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Players Mentioned

Miyah Barnes

Rachael Childress

Deanna Kuzmanic

Katelynn Thomas

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics