UAB to Face Chattanooga in the First Round of the WNIT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB women's basketball team will be playing postseason basketball for the first time since 2013 as the Blazers were selected to play Chattanooga in the First Round of the WNIT in Bartow Arena, tournament officials announced on Monday night.

The Blazers will host the Mocs in Bartow Arena on Thursday, March 15, with tipoff slated for 6 p.m.

UAB (26-6, 13-3) will be making its sixth all-time appearance in the WNIT with its most recent trip coming in 2013. The tournament berth marks the first postseason appearance for the Blazers under head coach Randy Norton.

"We are thrilled to be playing in the WNIT," Coach Norton said. "The field of teams is outstanding and we look forward to a great tournament."

The Blazers will be playing in the postseason for the ninth time in school history, which includes two trips to the NCAA Tournament, five trips to the WNIT and one trip to the WBI. UAB is a combined 12-8 in postseason play with a 6-6 record in the WNIT.

In its last WNIT appearance, UAB was paired with in-state foe Auburn in the first round, eventually falling to the Tigers 80-57 in Auburn Arena. Chelsee Black led the team with 15 points in the loss, while Amber Jones and Karisma Chapman each added 10 points.

UAB earned its ninth 20-win season in program history this year and its first since winning 20 games in the 2010-11 campaign. The team's 26 wins are the most in program history, surpassing the previous record of 24 wins by the 1990-91 and 1991-92 teams. The team also put up record-setting numbers in Conference USA play this year as its 13 wins are the most in program history.

Its stellar record in the regular season saw the team claim its first Conference USA Regular Season crown in school history and its first title since winning the Great Midwest Regular Season crown in 1993-94.

The team has already broken multiple school records this season, including the most 3-pointers (260) and most assists (570) in a single season. The Blazers are currently on pace to break the school record for 3-point field goal percentage (39.0).

UAB had three players named to All-Conference teams as Rachael Childress and Deanna Kuzmanic were named First Team and Miyah Barnes garnered second-team honors.

Chattanooga finished the regular season with a 17-12 overall record and an 8-6 record in the Southern Conference. In its most recent outing, the Mocs fell in double overtime in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament to UNCG, 70-66.

Keiana Gilbert leads a trio of Mocs in double figures, averaging 14.4 points per game. Aryanna Gilbert averaged 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the regular season, while Lakelyn Bouldin finished with 12.3 points.

This marks the 21st year of the national tournament, which features 37 teams with 20 or more victories this season. This year's edition of the WNIT will also feature three other teams from Conference USA, including Rice, Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee.

Tickets for Thursday's game are $5 for the general public and can be purchased now at uabsports.com, while UAB students will receive free admission to the game by presenting a One Card at the door. Gold Cards are not valid for postseason play. Contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office for more information via phone at (205) 975-UAB1 (205-975-8221) or via email at tickets@uab.edu for more information.

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).

WNIT Schedule
Round 1 – Chattanooga vs. UAB (March 15)

Round 2 – March 17-20

Round 3 – March 21-23

Round 4 – March 24-26

Semifinals – March 28-29

Championship – March 31, 3 p.m. (ET)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

UAB to Face Chattanooga in the First Round of the WNIT

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Miyah Barnes

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