Whitley’s Six Threes Spark UAB Over UAH

Wednesday, November 27

Birmingham, Ala.

6:00 p.m.

UAB

4-2

UAH

3-5

UAH

UAB

Whitley’s Six Threes Spark UAB Over UAH

11/27/2019 9:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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BIRMINGHAM – Sophomore Margaret Whitley scored a career high 19 points off the bench on six made three pointers to lift UAB to a 74-57 victory over UAH Wednesday night.

Whitley shot 6-8 from the arc and recorded three steals to help spark a sluggish UAB offense in the second half. Senior Trista Magee recorded her fifth straight double-digit scoring effort with 15 points on the night.

"Margaret was a big spark off the bench for us," said head coach Randy Norton. "What she did tonight is something we see every day. She has earned that right because she lives in the gym, she's the first one at practice and she is always getting her shots up. It was great to see it pay off tonight because this is how Marge can play and this is just the beginning for her."

Both teams got out to a slow start in the first quarter with multiple turnovers in the first five minutes of the game. The quarter ended with the Blazers leading 14-13 with only four made field goals.

UAB (4-2) increased the pace in the second quarter going on a 12-3 run as Magee, Whitley, Miyah Barnes, Rachael Childress and Katelynn Thomas each got in on the scoring. Magee's eight points in the half would help the Blazers go into halftime with a 35-28 lead.

Childress and Barnes scored the first seven points of the second half for UAB before Whitley came off the bench and took control of the Blazer offense. The Illinois native knocked down a three at the 5:04 mark of the third quarter to give UAB a 10-point lead. She then stole the ball at the other end and knocked down another three off an assist from Childress forcing the Chargers to call a timeout.

Whitley continued to have the hot hand knocking down another three and getting the and one with 1:19 remaining in the third quarter of play. Whitley hit her fifth three of the night with eight seconds remaining on the clock to give UAB the 61-42 advantage headed into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter mimicked the first as the Chargers outscored the Blazers 15-13 in the final 10 minutes of play. With 2:56 remaining in the game Whitley recorded her sixth three pointer to put her at a career high 19 points and lead all scorers.

Audrey Jordan saw her first action in a Blazers uniform after redshirting last season and coming off an injury last spring. She entered the game with under two minutes remaining and picked up a foul under the basket with 1:08 left. Jordan went to the line and hit one of her two free throws to record her first point for UAB in an emotional moment for the Blazers. UAB would close out the game with a 74-57 victory over UAH.

"Any time you start knocking down some threes it gives energy to your team to play harder on defense," added Norton. "I felt like we came out flat tonight for whatever reason, but the positives were Margaret Whitley and Audrey Jordan who got to come in and play in her first game since high school."

UAB held UAH to 30.3 percent shooting from the field. The Chargers were paced by Aryn Sanders and Selena Pruitt's 10 points.

Senior Angela Vendrell led UAB with 10 rebounds while recording nine points, three blocks and one steal. Childress added 12 points of her own and six assists to tie Barnes for the team lead on the night. Thomas reeled in eight rebounds and also tallied three blocks for the Blazers.

The Blazers will be back in Bartow on Dec. 3 to face cross-town rival Samford on Breakfast for Dinner night. Fans can purchase $15 tickets to get into the game and enjoy a breakfast buffet courtside. Students and Gold Card members can purchase buffet tickets for $10.

Secure your women's basketball season tickets by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.

For more information on the UAB women's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB) and Instagram (UAB_WBBall).