BIRMINGHAM –Five UAB players scored in double-figures in its 89-64 victory over Arkansas Pine Bluff on Wednesday night at Bartow Arena.
Zakyia Weathersby led all scorers with 20 points. Destinee McGhee recorded a career-high 16 points. Maria Roters scored a season-high 12 points. Margaret Whitley and Emily Klaczek added 12 and 10, respectively. Jasmine Gracie made her season debut, scoring two points and grabbing four rebounds in seven minutes of play for the Blazers who improve to 6-3 on the season.
Zaay Green led UAPB (4-5) with 17 points.
The Blazers began the contest by scoring the game’s first seven points. They would maintain that lead until Sade Hudson hit four consecutive free throws to cap a 9-2 run and make the score 17-17 at 2:06.
UAPB would tie the contest once more and take a 26-25 lead at the 7:05 mark of the 2nd quarter. However, the Blazers defense would only allow one Lady Lions field goal before halftime. The Blazers closed out the quarter on a 19-2 run, scoring the last 10 points to make the score 44-28 heading into the break.
Roters’ layup early in the 3rd quarter gave UAB its first 20-point lead at 48-28. Lindsay Dullard closed out the game’s scoring with a 3-pointer that gave the Blazers their largest lead of the game at 25 points.
UAB outscored UAPB in the paint 44-26 and outrebounded the Lions 46-34. In addition to a season-high 89 points, the Blazers also had season-highs of 20 assists, 34 field goals and a 54% shooting percentage.
“Coming off the Samford game where we didn’t finish plays, we needed a quick turnaround and we got that,” said head coach Randy Norton. “I’m really proud of our effort tonight, this was a very good Arkansas Pine Bluff team.”
Up next, UAB travels to Macon, Ga. to face Mercer (6-5) on Dec. 19. Tipoff is 2 p.m. (ET)/1 p.m. (CT). The Bears are coming off a 67-47 loss against UCF. The Blazers return home on Dec. 21 to face Grambling State for an 11 a.m. tipoff.
GAME NOTES
- McGhee’s previous career-high was 13 points at Chicago State on Nov. 13
- UAB’s 89 points was the most since they scored 87 at UTSA on Feb. 29, 2020
- Roters (5) and Kylee Schneringer (4) combined for nine of UAB’s 20 assists
- UAB is 5-0 all-time against UAPB
- The last time five UAB players scored in double-figures was Jan. 9, 2021 at Southern Miss
- The Blazers held Pine Bluff’s Khadijah Brown (13.6 ppg) scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting
GOLD CARD
Women’s Basketball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2021-22 Gold Card for $65 here. The 2021-22 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial). This card is not valid for Conference USA or NCAA Championship events.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
Tickets for individual games can be purchased here. Tickets are $5 for adults or $3 for those 18 or younger.
UAB BASKETBALL AT BARTOW ARENA
UAB requires wearing a mask indoors – regardless of vaccine status – unless actively eating or drinking and encourages masks during outdoor events, alongside regular handwashing.
For more information on the UAB women’s basketball team, follow @UAB_WBBall on Twitter and Instagram.
