UAB Drops Heartbreaker to Louisiana Tech, 70-60

Saturday, February 24

Birmingham, Ala.

2:00 P.M.

UAB

22-5, 11-3

LA Tech

18-10, 9-6

Louisiana Tech

UAB

UAB Drops Heartbreaker to Louisiana Tech, 70-60

2/24/2018 5:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Down 23-points early in the third quarter, the UAB women's basketball team fought its way back to within six points late in the fourth period but could not find the buckets it needed as the Blazers fell to Louisiana Tech, 70-60, on Saturday afternoon.

Junior Deanna Kuzmanic recorded a historic performance in the defeat, becoming UAB's 28^th 1,000-point scorer in program history with her career-high 35 points. Kuzmanic is the first Blazer to score over 30-points since Chelsee Black finished with 31 against Troy on Dec. 18, 2015, while her 35 points are the most since Ashley Grimes dropped 36 at Memphis on Dec. 7, 2013.

"That was a tough one, especially with it being Senior Day and it being at home," head coach Randy Norton said. "We just got off to such a poor start. We had 15 turnovers in the first half, which is more than we usually play with in an entire game. It was just very uncharacteristic of our team. It has nothing to do with our girls not wanting this. They are hurting right now. They feel really bad. It's hard to put my finger on it, but for whatever reason we just weren't ready to get over the hump today."

Kuzmanic was a force on Saturday, finishing the game 10-for-18 from the field and hit a career-high seven 3-pointers, going 7-for-12 from long range. Over the course of the four-game home stand, the junior averaged 19.5 points per game and shot an impressive 50 percent (26-for-52) from the field.

Sophomore Katelynn Thomas was the only other Blazer in double figures, finishing the game with 12 points, her eighth game this season in double figures, and hauling in a team-best five rebounds.

UAB (22-5, 11-3) dominated the glass, outrebounding Louisiana Tech, 40-32, while knocking down the exact same number of 3-pointers (7) and free throws (11) in the game as its opponents. The key for the visitors was the turnover margin, as LA Tech forced 21 UAB giveaways which it then turned into 19 of its 70 points.

Louisiana Tech (18-10, 9-6) was led by Alexus Malone, who finished the game with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Kierra Anthony also eclipsed the 20-point mark for the visitors with 24 points of her own.

It was all LA Tech in the first quarter, outscoring UAB 20-7 in the opening period after shooting 56 percent (9-for-16) and holding the Blazers to just two made field goals and a 29 percent shooting percentage.

UAB found some offense in the second half, cutting the lead to 27-17 with 5:50 to play, but was unable to cut the lead into single digits. LA Tech used that momentum by finishing the second quarter on a 12-4 run to take a 39-21 lead at the break.

The Lady Techsters scored three quick baskets at the start of the second half to open a 46-23 advantage before the Blazers went on a 21-4 run, which included Kuzmanic's big 3-pointer at the 7:14 mark of the quarter to score her 1,000^th career point, to cut the lead to 50-44.

However, LA Tech used an 8-0 run over the final 1:18 of that same period to push its lead back out to 58-44 with 10 minutes to play.

UAB once again make a strong push back into the game, cutting the lead to 62-56 with less than three minutes to play following a Miyah Barnes jumper from just inside the arc. The lead dipped as low as 64-58 in the final minute of play, but the Blazers could not find the shot that they needed as the Lady Techsters were able to escape with a 70-60 road win.

The Blazers return to action on March 1 when the Green and Gold kicks off its final road trip of the season at North Texas. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. and will be aired on beIN Sports CONNECT.

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).