Lady Toppers fall 58-36 to UAB

Brad Stephens

WKU couldn’t find the basket in the second half against Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday, and lost because of it.

The Lady Toppers shot just 19 percent over the game’s final 20 minutes and fell 58-36 to UAB in their second and final game at the UAB Thanksgiving Classic.

WKU is now 1-5 for the season.

The Lady Toppers trailed 30-22 at halftime, and cut the deficit to 32-27 with 16:12 left on a layup by senior forward Teranie Thomas.

But that was as close as WKU would get the rest of the game.

The Blazers went on a nine-point run over the next three minutes that stretched their lead to 14.

UAB pulled away throughout the rest of the game.

WKU was led in scoring by senior center Jasmine Johnson and her seven points. She also added five rebounds.

Sophomore guard Ellen Scholtes added six points and six rebounds off the bench, while senior forward LaTeira Owens chipped in with five points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

UAB was led in scoring by guards Amber Jones (17 points) and LaShaunda Pratt (15) and forward Karisma Chapman (17).

The Lady Toppers turned the ball over 26 times, their highest total since a 35-turnover performance against Duke last Sunday.

WKU next plays at 6 p.m. Tuesday in a road game against Bowling Green State.