UAB Women’s Basketball Opens Season With Win Over West Alabama

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - November 4, 2024

Charting the progression of his team won’t come solely in between early season games for UAB women’s basketball coach Randy Norton. It might come from quarter to quarter or perhaps even play by play.

“It's almost like a new team,” Norton said after his team opened the season with a 78-47 victory over West Alabama on Monday afternoon at Bartow Arena. “So, it's going to take a little bit to get that connection and that chemistry. But I felt like we made strides tonight, even as the game is going on, if you just feel the chemistry.”

Norton said a good sign of the progression came in the turnover category. UAB turned the ball over eight times in the first half but committed just three turnovers after halftime.

“If you can play a half with three turnovers to me, that's huge growth,” Norton said.

Four of the five UAB starters finished in double digits with the other starter, point guard Journey Armstead, contributing nine points and seven assists. Sophomore Jade Weathersby had a team-high 20 points with 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals. The other starters in double figures were Rayne Tucker (12 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 12 rebounds), Sara Bershers (13 points, three 3-pointers) and Maddie Walsh (10 points, three rebounds, two assists). Tracy Bershers came off the bench to add eight points and eight rebounds.

“One of the things that sticks out to me, I feel like they really share the basketball,” Norton said. “And to me, a lot of times that starts with the point guard. Because if you've got a point guard that's spraying and hitting the open man, then it becomes contagious and everybody else starts moving the ball too.”

UAB, which took the lead for good with 7:45 left in the first quarter, also was impressive on the boards. UAB outrebounded West Alabama, 56-38, overall and 19-11 on the offensive glass. The Blazers outscored West Alabama, 24-6, on second chance points and 54-28 in the paint.

Norton was especially pleased with his team’s rebounding.

“I hope so,” Norton said if he thought if this group would be a strong rebounding team. “Last year in the conference we were towards the bottom in rebounding and defense. That’s one of the things we talked to our team about and during recruiting, we knew we need to bring some kids who can rebound and defend. We feel like we've got those pieces.”