Margaret Whitley had another standout performance even as the UAB women’s basketball team stretched their losing streak to eight games in the 83-61 loss to Louisiana Tech.
The game started competitively with both teams trading baskets to start the first quarter, but the Lady Techsters began to pull away at the end of the quarter and stayed in control for the remainder of the half.
Louisiana Tech dominated offensively to start the game, shooting 60% in the first half and built up a lead that UAB could never quite overcome
The Blazers came back strong in the third quarter, outscoring Louisiana Tech 21-14. They held the Lady Techsters to just 30% shooting while shooting over 50%. A couple of 3-pointers helped UAB close the gap to under ten.
They would not be able to get past that hump, though with the lead ranging between 10 and 14 for most of the fourth quarter.
The Lady Techsters held UAB scoreless in the final four minutes as they stretched that ten-point margin out to a 22-point victory.
Whitley led the Blazers with four rebounds and 23 points, with 21 coming off of 3-pointers. Her seven threes today tied her performance at North Texas for the most threes this season.
“Even with the tough loss, I felt confidence in my shot today. I had some fuel to my fire after yesterday’s game,” Whitley said. “I told myself I needed to be more confident and knock down shots.”
Sam Mitchell added 11 points and four rebounds, Zakyia Weathersby put up 10 points and eight rebounds for the Blazers.
Four Lady Techsters were in double digits as Keiunna Walker leading the team with 25 points.
Turnovers killed this UAB team. The Blazers had 16 turnovers leading to 24 Louisiana Tech points, compared to the UAB’s two points off turnovers.
This eight-game skid is the worst losing streak for UAB since the 2002-03 season and the second-longest single season losing streak for a UAB team, behind only the nine-game losing streak of the 2001-02 team.
With the loss, the Blazers fall to 7-11 and 2-10 in conference play for sixth in the Conference USA West division.
The Blazers will return to play Friday, Feb. 19 against Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
