BIRMINGHAM – Katelynn Thomas tied a career-high in points with 25 but UAB could not overcome Charlotte’s red-hot shooting in an 83-75 loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.
Thomas and Rachael Childress paced the Blazers scoring 45 of UAB’s 75 points. Thomas grabbed a team high eight rebounds and Childress knocked down five triples on the night.
UAB (8-5, 0-1 C-USA) started out the night shooting 50.0 percent from the field grabbing the early 19-17 lead in the first quarter of play off eight points from Thomas.
The Blazers started off the second quarter on a high note as Thomas recorded a pair of baskets out of the break. UAB went on a 5-0 run capped off by an impressive play from Miyah Barnes who threw up a shot while falling down that banked off the backboard and went in while picking up the foul and converting the ensuing free throw. However, it was the 49ers who would go on a 7-0 run to close out the quarter to take the 43-42 lead into halftime.
Charlotte (10-2, 1-0 C-USA) could not be stopped offensively, shooting 47.1 percent from the field and a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc in the third quarter. Jade Phillips responded to a three from Childress with a triple of her own to increase the 49ers lead to five, early in the third quarter. Childress came alive in the quarter scoring eight straight points for the Blazers with 10 total points in the third. UAB regained the lead on Childress’ third trey of the night at the 7:01 mark in the third. The Blazers would remain in the lead until an 10-2 run from the 49ers off back-to-back UAB turnovers put Charlotte ahead at the end of three, 64-61.
Though the Blazers would get as close as one point from regaining the lead, the 49ers would remain in front for the remainder of the game. With 2:37 left in regulation and UAB down six Childress knocked down her fifth triple of the night and drew the foul to complete a four-point play and pull the Blazers within two points. The 49ers responded immediately with a three of their own to increase the score to 79-74. The Blazers struggled to find a response and were forced to foul leading to an eight-point triumph for Charlotte to open C-USA play.
“We will have to defend better moving forward to compete in Conference USA,” said head coach Randy Norton. “Charlotte shot lights out and played better than we did tonight. I am confident in this team and know we will come back strong on Saturday.”
Ultimately, it came down to a bad fourth quarter for UAB who until that point was shooting over 50 percent on the night. The Blazers went cold in the final ten minutes shooting just 28.6 percent from the field.
Charlotte had the hot hand shooting 50.0 percent on the night and 69.2 percent from three-point range, blowing their season average of 28.1 percent from three out of the water. The 49ers shot above 50.0 percent in every quarter except the third and out-rebounded UAB 40-31.
Jade Phillips recorded a double-double with 28 points and 18 rebounds to lead the 49ers and Christian Hithe scored a season-high 23 points.
Barnes added 11 points and six assists for the Blazers in 37 minutes of play. UAB outscored Charlotte in the paint 40-28 but could not stop the 49ers behind the arc giving up nine threes in the game.
The Blazers host conference leader Old Dominion Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Bartow Arena. The Monarchs are coming off a 67-56 victory over Middle Tennessee on Thursday night.
Secure your women’s basketball season tickets by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
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