Jan. 6, 2008

Complete Box Score in PDF Format

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - - The Blazers of UAB closed the game on a 21-10 run en route a 76-63 win over the Memphis Lady Tigers, Sunday, in Conference USA play.

"I think we fought really hard and the score really didn't indicate how close this game was," Head Coach Blair Savage-Lansden said. "Alysse Davis played a really good game and did a lot to get us back in the game in the first half." The game opened with Memphis forcing turnovers and bad shots, and with Jessica Jackson stuffing two quick blocks. But while the Lady Tigers kept UAB to few shots early on, Memphis was out-rebounded 27-16 in the opening 20 minutes. Senior Crystal McFadden scored eight points in five minutes to help the Blazers pull out to a 30-20 lead, but Memphis inserted Alysse Davis into the line-up and Davis started a 9-2 Memphis run when UAB went to a zone defense by hitting a deep three. On Memphis' next possession, Paris Leonard worked to stick back an offensive rebound, followed by Aroha Jennings slashing into the paint to convert a lay-up and cut the deficit to 34-29 with 1:03 to play.

C-USA leading scorer Raven Rogers tipped an offensive rebound three times to herself while battling Leonard for the board, and stuck it back to give UAB its only points in the final three minutes of the half, putting the Blazers up 36-29. On the ensuing trip down the floor, Davis drew a defender out of the zone and drove around her, converting the lay-up and giving Memphis its 31 point half time total. Jessica Jackson stole the ball and got off a three as the half wound down, but it bounced off the rim, as the Blazers took a 36-31 lead in to the locker room with eight different players having scored.

Memphis came back in the second half and knotted the game and took their first lead of the game when Jessica Jackson knocked down a pair of free-throws to give Memphis a 54-53 lead with 6:13 remaining. But Memphis could manage just 10 points for the remainder of the night as Paris Leonard and Jessica Hall struggled to score. Hall went scoreless for the game, while Leonard finished with just four first half points. Both were averaging double-digits coming in to the afternoon.

Bullard was the lone Lady Tiger in double-digits, finishing with 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting. She scored 21 of her 23 points in the second half. Jessica Jackson was next with nine points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Five different Blazers scored double-digit points, led by 21 from C-USA leading scorer Diamond Rogers. Crystal McFadden added 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Britney Jones scored 12 points with six rebounds. Peterson finished with 11 points, eight in the second half.

The Lady Tigers will return home for a pair of conference match-ups, when Memphis hosts Marshall, Thursday, at 7 p.m., and defending C-USA Champion, East Carolina, Saturday, at 1 p.m. The Saturday game against East Carolina was pushed back to 1 p.m. to accommodate East Carolina travel plans. All printed materials from earlier this season had a 7 p.m. start time.

All kids who had an A on their last report card can bring their report card and receive free admission for the East Carolina game.