The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Rice
UAB Women's Basketball Falls To Rice, 83-69
2/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB women's basketball team was defeated by Rice, 83-69, Friday night in Bartow Arena. After being down only one, 37-36, at the half, UAB allowed the Owls to start the second half on a 19-10 run to take control of the game.
The Owls (14-12, 10-5) were led by Kadie Riverin's 25 points. Additionally, Lauren Neaves had 22 points, 15 rebounds and all eight blocks for Rice.
Rice used its sizeable height advantage to beat the Blazers. The Owls outrebounded UAB, 42-29, and tallied 23 second-chance points. Additionally, Rice scored 38 of its points in the paint and had eight blocks against the Blazers.
UAB's Carmen Guzman reached a milestone in the game. At the 13:52 mark of the first half, Guzman tallied the 1,000th-point of her career, becoming the 21st UAB women's basketball player to reach the milestone. She joins her teammate and fellow New Yorker, Crystal McFadden, on the list as well. McFadden reached the milestone earlier this season.
Guzman finished the night with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. McFadden added 17 points and three steals to the cause.
"I thought we started the game off playing well," said UAB head coach Audra Smith. "We came out and played pressure defense and got some baskets in transition. In the second half, I thought we started well, but Rice was able to make adjustments and get the ball down low to Neaves or out to Riverin. After that, our defense sort of broke down. You can't expect to give up 83 points and win the game. I've told our team that all season. We just have to regroup and get ready for a tough, physical Houston team."
With the loss, UAB drops to 14-12 overall and 7-8 in Conference USA play. The Blazers welcome Houston to Birmingham Sunday at 2 p.m. The game will be the final home contest for UAB seniors Deidre Larry and Larezia Williams, as well as student assistant coach Laura Waldrop.
