Late Free Throws the Difference as UAB Defeats Samford 76-69

Tuesday, December 3

Birmingham, Ala.

6:00 p.m.

UAB

5-2

Samford

3-7

Samford

UAB

Late Free Throws the Difference as UAB Defeats Samford 76-69

12/3/2019 9:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM – Seniors Rachael Childress and Miyah Barnes knocked down a combined 17 of 21 free throws to lift UAB to a 76-69 victory over Samford Tuesday night at Bartow Arena.

Childress led the Blazers with 20 points and four assists going a career high 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Barnes hit eight free throws in the fourth quarter to finish with 14 points for UAB. Zakyia Weathersby had a career night scoring 10 points while reeling in seven rebounds and recording six blocks which was second best in UAB single-game history.

Samford (3-7) got out to the early lead for the first seven minutes of play. It was the only time the Bulldogs would lead in the game after a 7-0 run by UAB to close out the first quarter put the Blazers up 20-13 after 10 minutes of action.

UAB (5-2) would hold the lead for the rest of the game despite the Bulldogs getting as close as one point away from taking back control. Margaret Whitley stopped an 8-2 Samford run with a three at 6:23 in the second quarter. Samford would pull within one again before Childress was fouled shooting a three. The senior buried all three of her free throws and sparked a 12-3 UAB run to close out the half and put the Blazers up 37-29.

The Blazers started the second half on a tear with an 18-6 run highlighted by Childress knocking down a three and getting the foul with 4:50 to go in the third quarter. The Alabama native sank her free throw to complete the four-point play putting the Blazers up 17. UAB would see its largest lead of the night with 3:34 in the third as Trista Magee knocked down a jumper to increase the lead to 20. Samford showed plenty of resilience going on a 12-3 run to close out the third quarter cutting UAB's lead to 11, 58-47.

The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter scoring the first seven points to pull the game within four at 58-54. Childress was fouled beyond the arc for the third time on the night to put the senior at the line to shoot three with 6:52 remaining in the game. After Childress made all three free throws Samford would respond with six points but some clutch blocks by Weathersby would keep UAB in the lead heading into the final minutes of play.

With time winding down on the shot clock and 1:12 remaining in the game Barnes would hit another clutch three-pointer to increase the UAB lead to seven at 67-60. Barnes continued to show poise in the final minute of play knocking down eight free throws to secure the Blazers a 76-69 win over the Bulldogs.

"I'm really pleased with our girls, it was one of those games that wasn't pretty, but I felt like when it was crunch time our girls stepped up," said head coach Randy Norton. "Rachael had another outstanding game, she hit some big shots and some big free throws. I am really please with Zakyia, she came in for Imani Johnson who is injuried and Katelynn Thomas who is sick and she really stepped up and did some great things. She had 10 points, seven rebounds and six blocks in 14 minutes, that is big."

Childress, Barnes, Thomas, Magee and Weathersby each recorded double digit scoring performances. Magee's 10 points marked the sixth straight double-digit scoring effort from the redshirt senior. Childress' 20 points was her fifth straight double-digit game and the third time this season with 20 or more points. Angela Vendrell led the team in rebounding for the sixth time this season with nine boards on the night.

Natalie Armstrong led all scorers with 22 points for Samford and nine rebounds. The Bulldogs were held to 34.6 percent shooting on the night but out rebounded the Blazers 45-40.

UAB travels to Memphis next to face the Tigers at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 for the start of a four-game road stretch for the Blazers.

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).