Nov. 16, 2009

Ohio State Game Notes | Live Stats | Live Video

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's basketball team will travel to Ohio State on Tuesday for its first road test of the season. The Blazers tip off against the No. 3/3 Buckeyes on Tuesday at 6 p.m. (CT) at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, marking the first meeting between the two teams.

BLAZERS BITS
UAB opened the season with a victory for the second year in a row, topping Alcorn State, 76-62. It marked the 250th win for the Blazers on their home court.

Freshman guard Jala Harris nearly notched a double-double in her collegiate debut, leading all-scorers with 25 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Harris was not the only freshman have an immediate impact, as center Jasmine Green, guard Khalilah Watson, guard Amber Jones and guard LaKenya Lowe combined for 21 points and 19 boards.

Speaking of fresh faces, this year's UAB team features eight newcomers, including seven freshmen. The first-year group includes a trio of Alabama Players of the Year in Harris, Jones and Lowe. Additionally, Harris was named Alabama's Miss Basketball by the Sports Writers Association (ASWA) after her senior campaign.

Forward Tamika Dukes, the lone senior on the 2009-10 squad, demonstrated her experience and versatility in the Blazers' opener. Dukes totaled 11 points and eight rebounds, in addition to an assist, a block and a steal.

SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are coming off a pair of wins to open the season in the Preseason WNIT. Ohio State knocked off Eastern Illinois in the opener before topping Bowling Green in the quarterfinals of the tournament. The Buckeyes are led by junior center Jantel Lavender, with 39 career double-doubles, including back-to-backers already this season.

Last season, OSU won the Big Ten for the fifth year in a row and made a trip to the Sweet 16. Eighth-year head coach Jim Foster returns four starters from his 29-6 squad of last season.

BATTLING THE BIG TEN
UAB has only faced a Big Ten team one time during head coach Audra Smith's tenure, defeating Illinois during the 2007-08 season. Overall, the Blazers are 2-4 against Big Ten foes.

LAST TIME OUT
In UAB's season-opener, the Blazers battled back from an early eightpoint deficit to capture a 76-62 win over Alcorn State. The Blazers trailed by one at halftime, but Jala Harris' 23 second-half points put the game out of reach for the Lady Braves. The Blazer bench doubled Alcorn State's effort in the contest, outscoring the Lady Braves' bench, 22-11. UAB also best Alcorn in the paint by a margin of 30-18.