The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Thursday, December 10
Birmingham, Ala.
6:00 P.M.
UAB
-21,00 CUSA
68
vs
71
Mercer University
3-2,0-0SoCon
1
2
3
4
OT 1
F
Mercer
19
15
15
13
9
71
UAB
16
19
10
17
6
68
UAB Women's Basketball Edged Out By Mercer In Overtime
12/10/2020 9:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB's women's basketball came up short in overtime on Thursday night, falling at home to Mercer 71-68 and suffering its first loss of the season.
Zakyia Weathersby led the Blazers with 22 points and 10 rebounds, earning her second career double-double and first of the season. Through three games, the senior has already racked up 22 rebounds.
Juniors LaMiracle Sims and Margaret Whitley both had nine boards, career-highs for each, and freshman Caitlynn Daniels scored in double-digits for the second straight matchup.
It was a back-and-forth start, with neither UAB (2-1) or Mercer (3-2) able to hold a commanding lead. Despite Whitley leading the Blazers offensively in the first quarter with seven points, UAB went into the second down 19-16.
After the Bears jumped out to a 21-16 advantage to start the second, UAB took control in the paint, scoring four back-to-back layups and going into the half up 35-34.
The two teams traded the lead to start the third, before Mercer went on a 6-0 run with just over four minutes left in the quarter. Sims ended the Blazers' four-minute scoring drought with less than 15 seconds left and the Bears entered the final frame up 49-45.
Sara Rosenfeldt opened the fourth quarter with two back-to-back layups, erasing Mercer's four-point advantage.
After three lead changes, a layup from Weathersby with less than 30 seconds remaining forced overtime.
The Bears scored the first four points in extra time, before Whitley and Daniels each netted two from the line, evening the score at 68 with 1:22 remaining.
Mercer went up 70-68 with 42 seconds left and after Whitley missed a three-pointer, Rosenfeldt fouled, sending the Bears to the line. Mercer made one of its two free throws and went up by three.
A missed three-point shot from Daniels with seconds remaining on the clock sealed the victory for Mercer with a final of 71-68.
"Mercer is a veteran team and is picked to win their league. We needed a game like this game to get better," head coach Randy Norton said.
"Obviously, you always want to win but sometimes you have to lose to grow. This season will be all about learning, growing each day and trusting the process. We are really excited about the future of this team and can't wait to get back in the gym tomorrow."
The Blazers return to the court on Sunday, Dec. 13 when they host Grambling State at 2:00 p.m.
Zakyia Weathersby led the Blazers with 22 points and 10 rebounds, earning her second career double-double and first of the season. Through three games, the senior has already racked up 22 rebounds.
Juniors LaMiracle Sims and Margaret Whitley both had nine boards, career-highs for each, and freshman Caitlynn Daniels scored in double-digits for the second straight matchup.
It was a back-and-forth start, with neither UAB (2-1) or Mercer (3-2) able to hold a commanding lead. Despite Whitley leading the Blazers offensively in the first quarter with seven points, UAB went into the second down 19-16.
After the Bears jumped out to a 21-16 advantage to start the second, UAB took control in the paint, scoring four back-to-back layups and going into the half up 35-34.
The two teams traded the lead to start the third, before Mercer went on a 6-0 run with just over four minutes left in the quarter. Sims ended the Blazers' four-minute scoring drought with less than 15 seconds left and the Bears entered the final frame up 49-45.
Sara Rosenfeldt opened the fourth quarter with two back-to-back layups, erasing Mercer's four-point advantage.
After three lead changes, a layup from Weathersby with less than 30 seconds remaining forced overtime.
The Bears scored the first four points in extra time, before Whitley and Daniels each netted two from the line, evening the score at 68 with 1:22 remaining.
Mercer went up 70-68 with 42 seconds left and after Whitley missed a three-pointer, Rosenfeldt fouled, sending the Bears to the line. Mercer made one of its two free throws and went up by three.
A missed three-point shot from Daniels with seconds remaining on the clock sealed the victory for Mercer with a final of 71-68.
"Mercer is a veteran team and is picked to win their league. We needed a game like this game to get better," head coach Randy Norton said.
"Obviously, you always want to win but sometimes you have to lose to grow. This season will be all about learning, growing each day and trusting the process. We are really excited about the future of this team and can't wait to get back in the gym tomorrow."
The Blazers return to the court on Sunday, Dec. 13 when they host Grambling State at 2:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Mercer
UAB
FG%
.311
.433
3FG%
.273
.250
FT%
.880
.520
RB
41
50
TO
5
16
STL
7
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
Guard
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