UAB Opens Four-Game In-State Stretch with Alabama A&M

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With conference play less than a month away, the UAB women's basketball team looks to finish December strong as it will face four in-state foes to close out its non-conference slate beginning with Alabama A&M on Sunday. Tipoff in Bartow Arena is set for 4 p.m.

The Blazers (7-2) have been successful against in-state competition so far this season with exhibition wins over Montevallo (113-20) on Nov. 1 and Judson College (126-51) on Nov. 7, as well as a 77-53 triumph over crosstown rivals Samford in the team's last home game on Dec. 7.

"I think facing in-state competition is not only good for our girls, but good for showing off women's basketball in Alabama," head coach Randy Norton said. "There are many talented teams in this state and we will see one of those tomorrow in Alabama A&M. They are a very young team, but they have a lot of quickness that we need to be prepared for."

UAB is coming off a heartbreaking 64-62 setback on the road against former conference-rival Memphis. Junior Deanna Kuzmanic led the charge for the Blazers' offense against the Tigers, finishing the game with 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting and four assists.

Sophomore Rachael Childress was the only other Blazer in double figures in UAB's last contest, pouring in 14 points against Memphis.

Kuzmanic and Childress have been two of UAB's most productive players as Kuzmanic leads the team and Conference USA in assist/turnover ratio (2.7), while Childress leads the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game. Sophomore Miyah Barnes has also been unselfish this season, leading the team in assists (45) and is second in C-USA in assist/turnover ratio (2.6).

Alabama A&M (4-4) are coming off a 49-33 defeat to Jacksonville State on Dec. 12. Tierra Dark led the way for the Bulldogs in the loss with 10 points and three rebounds. Ashlyn Dark paces the Bulldogs' offense averaging 7.2 points per game.

The two programs have met a total of six times, with UAB emerging victorious in all six fixtures. The most recent meeting came on Nov. 12, 2012 which UAB won, 72-53. UAB has outscored A&M 443-321 in the six meetings and has averaged 73.8 points per contest in that stretch.

For more information on the UAB women's basketball team follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB), Instagram (UAB_WBBALL) or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABWBB).

UAB Opens Four-Game In-State Stretch with Alabama A&M

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Players Mentioned

Miyah Barnes

Rachael Childress

Deanna Kuzmanic

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics