CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Margaret Whitley scored a season-high 21 points in UAB’s 71-58 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon.
Whitley, who scored all of her field goals from 3-point range, finished the contest 5-of-6 from behind the arc and made 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Week Denim DeShields added 11 points for the Blazers who improve to 5-1 on the year.
Kyla Allison led WCU (4-5) with 13 points.
UAB took an early eight-point lead at the midway point of the 1st quarter when a pair of 3-pointers from Whitley and Lyndsey Robson followed by an and-1 from Maria Roters made the score 15-7.
The Blazers leading by nine at 6:47 in the 2nd quarter on Robson’s layup, but would not record a field goal the rest of the way as the Catamounts took a 34-33 lead into halftime.
The 3rd quarter started off with four lead changes and two ties before a 13-3 UAB run put them ahead 54-45 at the end of the quarter.
A rare 4-point play from Whitley with 5:32 to go in regulation gave the Blazers another double-figure lead at 66-53 and pit the contest out of reach. Tracey Bershers’ second 3-pointer of the game gave UAB its largest lead at 17 points with 2:04 left.
Up next, UAB return home on Dec. 13 against Miles.
GAME NOTES
- The Blazers shot a season-best 55.6% from 3-point range (10-of-18) as well as a season-high 21 free throws made
- Whitley now has 191 career 3-pointers, one behind Chelsea Black for sixth all-time in program history
- UAB improves to 37-31 all-time against the SoCon
- Destinee McGhee returned to the line after missing the last four games
PURCHASE YOUR GOLD CARD
Women’s Basketball season tickets are available for $65 by purchasing the 2022-23 Gold Card. The Gold Card will allow you to gain access to all home events for Women’s Basketball, as well as Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, Volleyball, Baseball and Softball.
GROUP TICKETS AND FAN EXPERIENCE PACKAGES
Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at Bartow Arena by filling out the UAB Basketball Group Ticket Request Form. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for a minimum purchase of 15 tickets, and fan experiences are available on a first come, first served basis to any home basketball game during the 2022-23 season.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB women’s basketball team, follow @UAB_WBB on Twitter and Instagram.
