The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Tulsa
Harris, Blazers Top Tulsa for Fourth Straight Win
1/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2010
Final Stats | Final Stats 
| CBS College Sports Highlights 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB freshman guard Jala Harris scored 22 points en route to the Blazers' 63-55 win over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Saturday afternoon at Bartow Arena. The Blazers extended their winning streak to four games and have won six of the last seven to improve to 8-6, 2-0 in Conference USA.
"What stood out out to me was our defense in the first half," UAB head coach Audra Smith said. "We held (Tulsa) to 24 points, adjusted to whatever they threw at us offensively and executed our offense."
In addition to Harris' seventh consecutive double-figure game, the Madison, Ala., native also dished out four assists and had a pair of steals. Harris has now cracked the 20-point mark in three straight games, five on the season, and reached double-digits in 10 games.
Senior forward Tamika Dukes continued her consistency, chipping in 13 points and seven rebounds. Dukes has scored double-figures in 13 of 14 games this season, including the last nine in a row.
Freshman guard Khalilah Watson and sophomore Meagan Brown also were key in shutting down Tulsa. Watson finished the game tying her career-high with nine rebounds in addition to four assists and two steals, while Brown blocked two shots and collected six boards.
"I am proud of the way Jala came out and played," Smith said. "She had 22 points in 30 minutes and has been workhorse for us. In addition, I am so proud of Megan Brown for stepping up and being that brick wall in the paint."
For Tulsa, forward Larrissa Williams scored 16 points, while guard Taleya Mayberry contributed 14.
The first half proved to be the difference in the game, as the Blazers shot 50 percent from the field, holding the Golden Hurricane to 34.6 percent. UAB finished the game shooting a 40.7 percent clip, while Tulsa ended at 38.6 percent.
"At half time, we saw that Tulsa was not just going to die down and allow this game to be over," Smith said. "They went after us and tried to fight back. I told the team that it never fails: the team that is up always relaxes and that is what we did. But I'm proud of them for maintaining the lead. We missed some important free throws, but we pulled it out. "
The Blazers jumped out to an early eight-point lead, but the Golden Hurricane battled back to cut UAB's lead to four with 12:19 to go in the first half. The Green and Gold quickly widened the margin again thanks to a 10-2 run and led, 25-13, at the 8:19 mark.
An 11-3 run gave the Blazers a 19-point advantage, their largest of the game, with 2:01 remaining in the half. UAB headed to the break up, 42-24, thanks in large part to Harris' 16 first-half points.
Despite offensive struggles in the second half, the Blazers never relinquished the lead. Tulsa began chipping away at the deficit, cutting UAB's lead to 11 with 2:16 left in the game. The lead dwindled to seven at the 1:12 mark, but it was as close as the Golden Hurricane would get.
UAB now prepares for a tough stretch, with six of its next seven games on the road. The Blazers begin the stretch at Southern Miss next Friday. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. (CT).
