The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Southern Miss
Late Surge Lifts Blazers Over Southern Miss
2/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 14, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB Blazers used a 16-2 run late in the game against the Southern Miss Lady Eagles to power their way to a 66-60 victory on Sunday afternoon in Bartow Arena. With the win, the Blazers (11-12, 5-6 C-USA) complete the season sweep of the Lady Eagles (7-17, 3-8 C-USA) for the first time since 2001.
"I'm really proud of our energy level tonight," UAB head coach Audra Smith said. "Everyone could feel the difference in energy for this game and it showed on the court. We had contributions from everyone, on both the offensive and defensive end."
The Blazers literally had contributions from every player that stepped on the court. Each of the 10 players that entered the game for UAB scored and grabbed at least one rebound.
Freshman guard Amber Jones and junior guard Amanda Peterson were key in sparking the run that gave the Blazers the late lead, combining for seven 3-pointers in the second half. Jones led UAB with 18 points, dished out two assists and had two steals, while Peterson chipped in 13 points, two assists, a block and a steal.
"Amanda and Amber's shots were not falling in the first half, but it was their confidence that helped them knock down those shots in the second half," Smith said. "A shooter keeps shooting and never doubts herself."
In addition to Jones and Peterson, freshman guard Jala Harris also scored double-figures with 10 points. It marked her 18th double-digit performance.
Senior forward Tamika Dukes was UAB's leading rebounder with 10, while Jones and sophomore guard Miteka Trueheart each had six boards.
Southern Miss forward Pauline Love recorded a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lady Eagles and guard Danielle Johnson added 10 points.
The Blazers trailed the Southern Miss Lady Eagles by nine points with 7:54 to play before going on the 16-2 run sparked by Jones' second 3-pointer of the game. Peterson drained back-to-back 3-pointers off a pair of UAB steals to cap off the run and give the Blazers a five-point lead with 2:47 left in the game.
The Lady Eagles pulled within a point with 59 seconds to play, but senior forward Erica Simpson hit a crucial layup and Jones sank a pair of free throws to stretch UAB's lead back to five. Harris hit the final free throw of the game to seal the six-point win.
Next up, the Blazers hit the road for the final time this season, traveling to UTEP and Tulane. UAB will take on the Miners Thursday at 7 p.m. CST before concluding the weekend at Tulane on Saturday at 4 p.m. CST.
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