HOUSTON – The Blazers fell for the first time in seven games to conference leader Rice by a score of 64-53 Thursday night in Houston.
The Blazers shot just 21.1 percent from beyond the arc and 32.7 percent from the field, well below their season averages. Rachael Childress was the only Blazer to enter double figures recording 10 points and a team-high six rebounds.
Both teams got out to a slow start as the two sides combined for just 20 points in the first quarter as Rice took the 11-9 lead after 10 minutes of play.
UAB (15-8, 7-4 C-USA) found its footing in the second quarter scoring 18 points off 46.7 percent shooting. The Owls also scored 18 points in the quarter giving them the two-point advantage going into halftime.
Rice (15-6, 10-0 C-USA) began to pull away in the third quarter shooting a blistering 63.6 percent while holding the Blazers to 26.7 percent shooting. The Owls maintained a nine-point advantage leading 48-39 going into the final quarter of play.
Neither side could get things going to start the fourth as the first points of the quarter did not come for three minutes. Rice found its stride scoring eight straight points while blanking the Blazers for nearly four minutes. The Owls increased their lead to as much as 16 with 1:38 remaining before Margaret Whitley and Sara Rosenfeldt scored the next seven UAB points. Rice would hang on to win by 11 and increase its conference unbeaten streak to 26 games.
“To beat Rice, you have to shoot the ball better than we did tonight,” said head coach Randy Norton. “We missed some great opportunities around the basket that we normally make. I am confident we will come back strong in our next game.”
The loss put an end to UAB’s six game win streak in which the Blazers were averaging 77.5 points per game and outscoring their opponents by 18.5 points.
UAB will look to bounce back on Saturday afternoon as they take on North Texas in Denton at 2 p.m.
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.
For more information on the UAB women’s basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB) and Instagram (UAB_WBBall).
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