Box Score - UAB 73, South Alabama 43 (.pdf)    

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's basketball team recorded just nine points and suffered a nearly 18 minute stretch without a field goal in the first half as the Jaguars fell 73-43 at UAB Sunday afternoon at Bartow Arena.

"We could not make a shot in the first half," South Alabama head coach Terry Fowler said.  "We had some roll around on the rim and we felt if we could have just got one of those to drop, it would have broke the ice for us.  It never did though and by that time, UAB had opened up the game and taken a big lead."  

The Jaguars (3-6) will now break for Christmas before returning to action on Dec. 30 when South Alabama opens Sun Belt Conference play against preseason favorite and defending league champ Arkansas State.  Tip-off versus the Red Wolves is set for 5:05 p.m. at the Mitchell Center.

Breanna Hall was the lone Jag in double figures in the loss with 16 points.  She has now recorded double figures in 13 games and 20 of her last 22 dating back to last season.  Taylor Jenkins also added eight points in the loss while Chyna Ellis had six points and a team-high 10 rebounds.  Ellis also registered four blocks.

UAB (6-4) was led by Janae Smith's double-double, as she finished with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds to go along with four steals and two blocks.  Kayla Anderson also came off the bench to finish in double digits with 18 points.  Anderson was 6-of-9 from the floor and knocked down six free throws.

The Blazers ended the afternoon 28-of-50 from the floor for 56 percent and connected on six of their 13 three-point attempts.  UAB also held a 39-27 advantage on the glass.  USA shot just 29.1 percent from the floor for the game and committed 20 turnovers, which led to 37 Blazer points.

South Alabama held an early 5-2 advantage after a layup by Ellis at the 17:49 mark, but the freshman center's basket would be the last for the Jags over most of the opening half.  

UAB – who shot 58.6 percent during the first 20 minutes of play – took advantage of USA's offensive woes and took control of the contest with a 37-0 run over a 14-minute stretch.  During the Blazer run, South Alabama would go 0-for-15 from the field and turn the ball over 10 times, leading to 22 UAB points.

The Blazers did their damage both inside and out, hitting five three-pointers during the run.  Miranda Burroughs had three of the five long-range shots during that stretch, while Anderson came off the bench to record 12 of her 14 first-half points.  Smith also added eight points during the run.  

Hall final ended USA's scoreless streak with a pair of free throws at the 2:46 mark – the first points for the Jags in 15 minutes.  Grace Farnsworth finally gave South Alabama its third made basket just before the horn with a 12-foot jumper.  Farnsworth's bucket ended a streak of 20-consecutive missed attempts.  USA was just 3-of-26 from the field during the first period of play for 11.5 percent.

The Blazers headed into the locker room with a 46-9 advantage.

In the second half, South Alabama would shoot the ball better, connecting on 13 of its 29 attempts for 44.8 percent, but the Blazers would not allow the Jags to get any closer than 29 points and shot 52.4 percent in the period.

NOTES: The meeting between South Alabama and UAB marked the 40th in the all-time series between the two programs.  The Blazers now hold a 26-14 advantage in the series.  UAB holds a 14-4 advantage in the series in games played in Birmingham.  The Jags have lost 10 of the last 11 meetings on the Blazers' home floor.  South Alabama holds an 83-183 all-time record against current Conference USA members.  With her 16 points, USA's Breanna Hall has now recorded double figures in 13 games and 20 of her last 22 dating back to last season.  The nine first-half points were a season low and the 11.5 first-half shooting percentage was also a season low.  The 43 points against UAB were the fewest recorded by the Jags this season.  The loss also marked the 10th straight road loss for South Alabama and 18th in the last 19 outings away from the Mitchell Center.  The 10-straight road losses are now the fifth-most in program history.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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