Nov. 3, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's basketball team has been practicing for more than two weeks now and is continuing its preparations for the upcoming season. The Blazers will host Montevallo in an exhibition game Saturday for their first test of the year before they begin their regular season on Nov. 14 versus Stetson.

UAB head coach Audra Smith has devoted a large portion of practice time to defense this preseason. She feels that the implementation of the defensive schemes has gone well thus far and she has been emphasizing the importance of defense to her team.

"We have spent a lot of time concentrating on defense," said Smith. "It all begins with defense. I feel like that is an area where we can improve from the previous years. If you have a solid defense, then that will in turn create more scoring opportunities on the other end of the floor for you."

One thing that is different this season is the way that Smith and her staff approach practice. With a young team that has six newcomers on the roster, practices include more teaching and instructing this year.

"I have had to make some adjustments to how I normally handle practices," said Smith. "With such a young team, we have had to slow things down a bit and spend some additional time on teaching. Even though we are young, I think the players are picking things up and we're going to be ready for the season."

The Blazers' top returning players are a pair of guards in senior Britney Jones and sophomore Amanda Peterson. Jones is UAB's leading returning scorer, averaging 12.8 ppg a year ago while also adding 4.3 rpg and 3.1 spg. Peterson is the reigning Conference USA Sixth Player of the Year after putting up 8.5 ppg a season ago.

New to the court this season for the Blazers, 6-0 junior forward Tamika Dukes is expected to make an immediate impact. The junior college transfer played two seasons at Wallace-Hanceville CC, averaging 17.9 ppg and earning honorable mention All-America by the National Junior College Athletic Association following the 2006-07 season. Dukes was at UAB last year, but received a medical redshirt after a preseason injury sidelined her.

A pair of true freshman in 6-5 Meagan Brown and 6-2 TaRonda Randall will also be looked to for significant contributions to the Blazers' post game this season.

"I'm really enthusiastic about this year," said Smith. "I think we have an outstanding mix of experienced returnees and talented newcomers and our team chemistry is better than ever."

Blazer fans can get their first look at the 2008-09 UAB women's basketball team on Saturday evening when it hosts Montevallo in an exhibition game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT in Bartow Arena.

"We're excited for Saturday," said Smith. "It'll be a good test for us. We're ready to get out there and play another team and see where we stand.

"We're going to spend the first part of this week still focusing on our team. Towards the end of the week, we'll start putting in a scouting report and game plan for Montevallo."

UAB will open its regular-season schedule on Nov. 14 when it hosts Stetson in a 12 p.m. CT contest at Bartow Arena.