Women’s Basketball Earns a 71-68 Win at Illinois State

Friday, December 20

Normal, Ill.

6:30 p.m.

UAB

8-3,0-0AAC

Illinois State

6-5,0-0MVC

UAB

Illinois St.

Women’s Basketball Earns a 71-68 Win at Illinois State

12/20/2024 10:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NORMAL, Ill. – UAB women's basketball team (8-3) defeated Illinois State (6-5), 71-68, Friday night inside CEFCU Arena.

Journey Armstead picked up her sixth double-digit game, with a team-leading 14 points and eight assists. Sara Bershers and Jade Weathersby each had 12 points, while Weathersby added eight rebounds. Bershers went 4-of-7 in field goals and 4-of-6 from the long range. Eleecia Carter registered a season-best 10 points on the night.

The first quarter went back and forth with three lead changes and two tied scores. The Blazers had a four-point lead with 56 seconds left, but Maya Wong hit a three to close in on UAB's lead. The Blazers led by one at 17-16 heading into the second quarter.

UAB began the second on an 11-0 run to be in front by 12 points, 28-16, at the 7:10 mark. The Redbirds then went on a 7-0 run to only be down by five (28-23). Illinois State ended the second on an 8-0 run to only trail behind the Blazers by one at 34-33.

The Redbirds took back the lead with a 3-pointer to begin the quarter (36-34). The first four minutes of the third saw six lead changes and one tied score. The Green and Gold then went on an 9-0 run and grabbed the lead for the rest of the quarter. The Blazers led by six at 56-50 heading into the last frame. Armstead led in the third with 10 points and three assists.

In the final frame, UAB maintained its lead, but the Redbirds would cut it close. Illinois State had a chance to tie the score with five seconds left, but the Blazers defense was able to hold on and earn a 71-68 victory.

Head Coach Randy Norton and Associate Head Coach Taren Martin guided the Blazers to the win in familiar arena. Norton was the Assistant Coach for the Redbirds from 2003-2010 and Martin played at Illinois State from 2000-2004. Martin also served as the graduate assistant before being named the director of operations while completing her master's degree.

UP NEXT
UAB heads to Carbondale, Illinois to face Southern Illinois on Sunday, December 22 at 12 p.m. CT. The game will air live on ESPN+.

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