UAB Sets School Record for Wins in Quarterfinal Victory Over UTEP

Thursday, March 8

Frisco, Texas

11 a.m.

UAB

25-5

UTEP

17-14

UTEP

UAB

UAB Sets School Record for Wins in Quarterfinal Victory Over UTEP

3/8/2018 3:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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FRISCO, Texas – The UAB women's basketball team flashed its fourth quarter heroics once again, outscoring UTEP 20-10 in the final period en route to a 75-66 quarterfinal victory over the Miners on Thursday to clinch its program-best 25^th win of the year.

UAB (25-5, 13-3) surpassed its previous school-record win total of 24, which was set in both the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons.

The Blazers have advanced to the semifinal round of the Conference USA Tournament for the first time since the 2011-12 season when it faced UTEP on March 9, 2012. UAB will face Rice in the semis on Friday with tipoff slated for 5:30 p.m.

"I am really proud of our team," head coach Randy Norton said. "When it gets to March Madness, there is no easy game. It really comes down to toughness, fight and togetherness and you have to play with extreme poise. Today was hard and it was tough, but it is supposed to be that way when you get to this part of the season. Now we have to take care of our bodies, get hydrated and get ready to go again tomorrow."

Junior Deanna Kuzmanic paced a quartet of Blazers in double figures, posting a game-high 21 points in the win. Kuzmanic came alive in the second half, scoring 20 of her 21 points in the final two quarters of play on 8-for-10 shooting from the floor.

The Green and Gold's two All-Conference sophomores played lights out, combining for 28 of UAB's 75 points. Childress scored 15 points on the back of four 3-pointers, moving her into a tie for fourth place on the school's all-time career made 3-pointers list with Chelsee Black (192).

Miyah Barnes added 13 points and six assists against the Roadrunners, moving her into a tie for fifth place on the school's all-time list for single-season assists with Bubba Bell (151). Fellow sophomore Katelynn Thomas rounded out the Blazer performers in double figures with 10 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals.

UAB was extremely efficient in the win, dishing out 20 assists to just 11 turnovers. Angela Vendrell played a major factor in that category, recording a career-best seven assists. The Blazers were also dominant in the paint, outscoring the Miners 34-22 under the basket.

UTEP (17-14, 7-9) was led by Tamara Seda, who finished the game with 15 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and four steals.

It was all UAB in the first quarter as the Blazers saw a lead as big as 17-7 late in the period before taking a 23-16 lead into the second. That lead hovered right around six points throughout much of the second period until four quick points from the Miners cut the lead to 30-28 with 2:47 to play.

The Green and Gold had their chances late in the half to push the lead back out, but stout defense late kept the Miners within two points, 33-31, heading into the locker room.

UTEP came out firing early in the second half, taking its first lead of the game at the 8:39 mark of the third quarter when Katarina Zec knocked down a 3-pointer at the top of the key to put the Miners ahead, 36-35.

The lead changed five times in the third period before the visitors took a 56-51 advantage with 58 seconds on the clock after a 3-pointer from Zuzanna Puc. However, the Blazers stopped the bleeding with four-quick points from Kuzmanic and Imani Johnson to cut the lead to 56-55 with one period to play.

That hot shooting carried over into the fourth quarter as UAB scored the opening seven points following a Kuzmanic layup and back-to-back 3-pointers from Childress to give the Blazers a 63-56 lead with 8:14 to play.

The Miners made one final push at the 6:17 mark when Faith Cook knocked down two free throws to cut the score to 63-60, but a 10-2 run over the next four minutes extend the lead to 73-62 before the Blazers were able to ride the game out for a 75-66 victory.

Friday's semifinal game will be broadcast on Facebook Live. More information on the C-USA Tournament, including ticketing information, can be found on the tournament website.

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).