DeShields Drops 31 as UAB Defeats SMU 84-75

Sunday, January 14

Bartow Arena

2:00 PM

UAB

13-4,4-1AAC

SMU

8-8,2-3AAC

SMU

UAB

DeShields Drops 31 as UAB Defeats SMU 84-75

1/14/2024 4:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Season Stats

BIRMINGHAM – Sophomore point guard Denim DeShields scored 31 points and led five players in double figures as the UAB women's basketball team defeated SMU 84-75 on Sunday afternoon at Bartow Arena.

DeShields was 8-of-16 from the floor and 13-of-14 from the free throw line for her 31 points while adding five assists and three rebounds. Mia Moore notched her ninth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Kylee Schneringer had a season-high 13 points. Jade Weathersby (11) and Tracey Bershers (10) also had double figures.

UAB (13-4, 4-1 AAC) shot 44 percent for the game and was 26-of-28 from the free throw line. SMU (8-8, 2-3 AAC) shot 46 percent from the floor and received a game-high 32 points from Tiara Young, but the Blazers executed down the stretch and were clutch at the line to hold on for the win. UAB is now 8-1 at Bartow Arena this season.

The Blazers started the game hot, making five of their first seven shots and held a 14-9 lead at the first media timeout of the game. UAB shot 60 percent in the first quarter and Bershers' triple at the end of the quarter gave the Blazers a 24-13 lead after one.

With UAB ahead 29-17 early in the second, the Mustangs went on a 9-0 run to get within three, but back-to-back triples from DeShields and Schneringer increased the lead back to nine (35-26) and UAB eventually outscored SMU 14-4 to end the half and had a 43-30 lead at the break.

UAB shot 45 percent in the first half and was led by DeShields with 13 and Bershers with 10 at the break.

SMU outscored UAB 24-18 in the third quarter and got within four (51-47), but Weathersby calmly knocked down four free throws in a row to increase the lead back to eight and the Blazers led 61-54 entering the fourth.

With UAB leading by eight (70-62), SMU scored the next five points which cut the advantage to three with 3:01 left in the game. UAB answered through with a layup from DeShields, followed by the point guard finding a slashing Moore for an and-1 which got the lead back up to 75-67 with 1:47 left.

SMU once again got within four (77-73) but had to foul and UAB made 5-of-6 at the line to ice the game.

The Blazers remaining in Birmingham and are off for a week before returning to action next Sunday, Jan. 21, against UTSA. Tip is set for 1 p.m.