UAB Secures 81-73 Win Over Abilene Christian

Saturday, December 19

Deland, Fla.

12:00 p.m. CT

UAB

-51,00 CUSA

Abilene Christian

6-2,0-0Southland

Abilene Christian

UAB

UAB Secures 81-73 Win Over Abilene Christian

12/19/2020 3:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

DELAND, Fla. – The UAB women's basketball team secured an 81-73 victory over Abilene Christian (6-2) on Saturday afternoon, leaving Florida with a 2-0 record at the Hatter Classic.

With the win, the Blazers improve to 5-1 on the season and have now won three straight.

Zakyia Weathersby earned her third double-double in the last four games, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Junior Margaret Whitley posted a team-high 22 points to go along with four three-pointers and six assists.

Weathersby gave the Blazers a fast start, scoring six of UAB's first eight points.

Both teams were hot offensively in the first quarter, with UAB shooting 56.25 percent (9 of 16) from the field, while ACU shot 47.37 percent (9 of 19). It was 22-21 with a one-point Wildcat advantage heading into the second.

There was a total of five lead changes in the second quarter, with neither team able to establish a dominant lead. That was until UAB went on a 12-2 run in the last three minutes, going into the half up 46-40

Claudia Armato was a spark for the Blazers in the third, scoring two back-to-back threes early on, before a big inbound steal and then layup with 2:41 left to put the team up by six.

UAB went into the final quarter with a 63-57 advantage.

Eight of the Blazers' 18 points in the fourth came from the line, helping UAB seal the 81-73 victory over ACU.

Game Notes

LaMiracle Sims posted a career-high 10 points
Whitley has scored in double digits in every game this season
Head coach Randy Norton is now 13-4 against opponents from Florida
This was UAB's highest scoring game of the season

"Our team continues to improve and grow with every game," Norton said. "I thought we really came back strong today with a great effort at both ends of the floor, beating a very good team in Abilene Christian to win the tournament."

Up next, the Blazers will host Tennessee State (0-3) on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 12:00 p.m.

Women's basketball season tickets are available by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card includes access to all home men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball games in addition to all women's basketball home 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) and Instagram (UAB_WBBall).