Box Score Alabama State women's basketball fell to UAB 74-41 on the final day of the Samford Thanksgiving Classic, Saturday afternoon at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
“Today's performance was not as bad as yesterday's,” said head women's basketball coach Freda Freeman-Jackson.  “We played the first half of today's game like we finished the second half of yesterday's game against Samford.  This weekend was a horrible weekend for Alabama State women's basketball.  We didn't do the things that we are capable of doing to display the talents that we actual have.  I'm not sure if it's the lack of focus or what, we aren't doing a good job defensively and we didn't play good basketball at all. We are going to have to go back to the drawing board and emphasize the importance of playing defense.  We are not focused on the defensive end.  Like I said yesterday defense brings offense.”
 
Alabama State (0-3) was 4-20 in the first half shooting only 20 percent, with 12 points at the half.  UAB (5-1) went 11-31 and shot for 35percent leading ASU with 37 points.  The Lady Hornets were able to score 29 points in the second half, and UAB added 37 more points in their second half of play.
 
“We played defense the last 10 minutes of the ball game,” said Freeman-Jackson.  “I thought we had some consecutive defensive stops that led to us scoring some easy baskets.  So hopefully these girls are sold on the fact that if you have any chance to win a ball game you have to play defense.  We were able to get a small run against UAB, but we still couldn't stop them from scoring.”
 
The Lady Hornets Kierra Paige led all scorers with 18 points.  Jasmine Peeples and Brittney Howard both added six points apiece.  Peeples led on the boards with six rebounds and added two blocks to her count.
 
“I feel as though the ladies that we are counting on (the upperclassman), struggled and didn't step up this weekend.  I hope that they put these two games behind them and move on from here.  I was really proud of my two freshmen Jasmine Peeples and Jamicia Lewis they came in and gave us some good minutes on the floor.  It was also good to see Paige going, because she has been struggling.  She didn't hit a lot of outside shots, but she was able to make some plays to try to get us back in the game.  Brittney also came in the second half and played some ball for us tonight.  We just need to get back on track.”
 
UAB's leading scorer Karisma Chapman had 16 points, and she was followed by Chelsee Black who added 11 points to the win. 
 
Alabama State will return to the Dunn-Oliver Acadome to face Oakwood University, on Monday, November 26.  The game time is set for 6 p.m.
 
 
GO HORNETS