Offensive Effort Pushes UAB Past Old Dominion

Thursday, February 7

Norfolk, Va.

5:30 p.m.

UAB

19-4, 7-3

Old Dominion

16-7, 7-4

UAB

Old Dominion

Offensive Effort Pushes UAB Past Old Dominion

2/7/2019 8:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

NORFOLK, Va. – A 54.2 percent (26-of-48) night from the field and a 52.6 percent (10-of-19) performance from long range lifted the UAB women's basketball team to a 69-61 victory at Old Dominion on Thursday night.

UAB (19-4, 7-3 C-USA) snapped its two-game losing skid, avoiding three consecutive losses which it has not done since the 2015-16 season.

"I am proud of our team," head coach Randy Norton said. "They scrapped and clawed and battled for 40 minutes which is exactly what we asked them to do going into tonight."

Miyah Barnes led a trio of Blazers in double figures as the junior finished with 16 points, 13 of which came in the second half. The Memphis, Tenn., native was a perfect 3-for-3 at the free throw line, while adding three triples and six assists.

Imani Johnson netted 14 points in the win on five made field goals, while reeling in five rebounds. The junior has finished in the double figure scoring column six times this season, and in three of the Blazers' last four games.

Deanna Kuzmanic rounded out the Blazers in double figures, scoring 10 points and adding eight assists. The senior registered the 73rd double figure scoring game of her career and 16th of the season.

UAB led Old Dominion in fast break points (6-to-2) and in bench points (29-to-8), while the Monarchs topped the Blazers in points in the paint (32-to-26) and in points off turnovers (20-to-19).

Rachael Childress opened the scoring for the Blazers with a triple on the second possession of the game to give UAB an early one point lead. The lead would not last long as Old Dominion responded with a 9-4 lead to carry the game to its first media break with an 11-7 lead. A 3-pointer from Trista Magee cut the Old Dominion to lead to 11-10 and sparked the squads trading buckets to make the contest 16-14 at the end of the first quarter, advantage Monarchs.

Magee hit another 3-pointer with 9:12 to play in the first half to cut the lead to one, before Barnes hit a go ahead 3-pointer with 6:59 to give UAB a 20-18 advantage. The Blazers went on a 10-4 run midway through the second quarter, but consecutive buckets gave UAB just a 32-29 lead at halftime.

Old Dominion (16-7, 7-4 C-USA) opened the second half on a 9-3 run, carrying the Monarchs midway through the third quarter with a four point lead. A 3-pointer from Johnson cut the Monarch's lead to one before a layup on the ensuing possession off the hands of Johnson gave UAB a 40-39 advantage and a lead it would not relinquish. UAB held Old Dominion scoreless over the final six minutes of the period and went on a 14-0 run to lead 50-39 going into the final quarter.

An Old Dominion 3-pointer made the contest a three point game with 7:20 to play before an and-1 knotted the game at 52 with 4:52 remaining. Consecutive layups from both teams gave the game its fourth tie, but a layup with 3:39 to play from Angela Vendrell gave UAB a lead it would not relinquish. Free throws from Barnes with five seconds to play provided enough cushion as the Blazers secured their 19th victory of the season.

Ajah Wayne led Old Dominion with a game high 18 points. The Birmingham native was 6-of-13 from the field, while also hauling in seven rebounds.

UAB concludes its three game road trip on Saturday when it takes on Charlotte at Halton Arena. Tipoff between the Blazers and 49ers is set for 3 p.m. CST on ESPN+.

Women's basketball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2018-19 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card includes access to home baseball and softball games in addition to women's basketball's remaining four contests. Contact the UAB Ticket Office, (205) 975-UAB1, for more details.

For more information on the UAB women's basketball team follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB), on Instagram (UAB_WBBall) or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABWBB).