UAB Tops Rice 63-56 in Overtime

Wednesday, January 22

Birmingham, Ala.

6 p.m.

UAB

13-7,4-4AAC

Rice

10-9,3-4AAC

OT 1

Rice

UAB

UAB Tops Rice 63-56 in Overtime

1/22/2025 10:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM – UAB women's basketball (13-7, 4-4 AAC) defeated Rice (10-9, 3-4 AAC) 63-56 in overtime on Wednesday night at Bartow Arena.

Molly Moffitt and Sara Bershers led the Blazers with each recording 14 points for a combined 28 points. Moffitt was 6-of-12 from the field and added seven rebounds on the night. Maddie Walsh registered 13 points and Journey Armstead tallied 11 points while adding five rebounds and three assists. Jade Weathersby led in the rebound category with 13 rebounds.

The first quarter got off to a slow a start with both teams going back and forth. The Owls were the first on the board but the Green and Gold and was able to tie the game and then take the lead at 4-2 with 5:54 left. Rice then grabbed the lead back at 5-4, but points from Tracey Bershers and Moffitt gave UAB the lead at 9-5 at the 1:32 mark. With 41 seconds left, Dominique Ennis made a 3-pointer to get with one of the Blazers at 9-8. As the quarter was closing out the Blazers turned the ball over and the Owls made a fast break for a layup to have a 10-9 lead at the end of the first.

To begin the second quarter, Walsh was fouled and headed to the free throw line where she made both to give UAB a 11-10 lead. Rice then tied the game at 11-11 off a free throw at the 8:45 mark. Armstead made a layup to give the Green and Gold the advantage and would hold the lead for the rest of the quarter. Going into halftime, UAB had a seven-point lead at 24-17.

Coming out of the half, the Blazers were able to hold on to their lead, but with 6:28 on the clock the Owls got within two at 28-26. At the 4:38 mark Rice's Malia Fisher made a three to get the Owls in front at 31-30. Walsh was able to tie the score at 3:19 (33-33), but Fisher would once again give Rice the advantage and draw an and one. Fisher made the free throw to make the score 36-33 with 2:54 left. Moffitt drew a foul with 1:19 on the clock and made both free throws to get within one (36-35) of the Owls.

Walsh made a fast break jump shot off a turnover to give UAB a one-point lead with 52 seconds left, but Rice drew a foul and made both free throws to once again have a lead change. Armstead then made a layup up to give UAB a 39-38 advantage. With six seconds left in the third, Ennis made a three to close out the frame 41-39 and the Owls leading by two.

UAB tied the contest 41-41 to open the fourth and then took a two-point lead (43-41) at the 8:21 mark, before Fisher tied the game back up. Rice was able to regain the lead at 46-43 and the next few points the game would be tied, and each team took turns having a two-point advantage. At the 2:26 mark, the Owls led 50-48 but Moffitt would tie the game 50-50 from a layup. No one scored and Rice had the final possession, but the Blazers defense didn't allow the Owls to get a shot off to force the game into overtime.

Both teams had several defensive stops to begin overtime, but Rice scored first and led 52-50 with 3:25 left. The Green and Gold went on an 11-2 run to lead 61-54 with 18 seconds left and to take control in overtime and earn the 63-56 victory.

UP NEXT
UAB hits the road to Kansas to face Wichita State for the second time this season on Saturday, January 25. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT and will air live on ESPN+.

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