BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The New Orleans Privateers were in a back-and-forth battle but the UAB Blazers scored on consecutive possessions in the final minute and added late free throws to hold for a 66-60 decision at Bartow Arena.
Nora Francois gave the Privateers their last lead of the game at the 1:38 mark with a jumper to make the score 60-59. The Blazers came right back with a Maddie Walsh bucket to re-take the lead. After UAB forced a turnover, Journey Armstead made a layup to put the Blazer lead at three.
The Privateers turned it over on their next possession but they got another opportunity when
Alexis Calderon forced a steal and was subsequently fouled with 22.2 seconds left. A three-pointer which would have tied the game went off the mark and the Blazers got the rebound.
From there, New Orleans was forced to foul and UAB went 3-of-4 from the free throw line to hold off the Privateers and move to 7-3 on the year.
The Privateers took the fight to the Blazers early as they got out to an 8-2 advantage at the start. New Orleans shot 47 percent from the field in a high-scoring first quarter and held the Blazers to 3-of-10 from three-point range. After ten minutes, the Privateers led 22-18.
Both teams went cold from the field at the beginning of the second quarter. There were seven combined points by the time the media timeout hit. The Blazers slowly clawed their way to a lead when Rayne Tucker hit a jumper at the 2:51 mark.
New Orleans looked to carry a lead into the half when
Jayla Kimbrough hit a tough shot through traffic with 36 seconds remaining. However, the Blazers came back on the next possession and got a layup from Tucker. UAB led 34-33 going into the break.
Walsh led the Blazers with 21 points and was 8-of-14 from the field. Armstead scored 13 and went 6-of-9 from the field. The Privateers held the Blazers nearly 10 points under their season average from three-point range. UAB only hit on 26.7 percent of their three-pointers after coming in averaging a 35 percent clip on the season.
INSIDE THE BOX
Francois led the Privateers with 20 points and added five rebounds.
Jayla Kimbrough added 15 points.
Mackenzie Joseph led the Privateers on the boards with 10 on the day. Calderon had a team-high five assists.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Friday. Tip is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
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