Jan. 31, 2008

UAB vs. Rice Game Notes | Gametracker | Watch & Listen Live

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After playing its last three games on the road, the UAB women's basketball team will return home to Bartow Arena to host Rice and Houston this weekend. The Blazers will take on the Rice Owls at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by a matchup with the Cougars of Houston at 2 p.m. Sunday.

This weekend's games will be full of milestones that may be reached. First, UAB head coach Audra Smith will be going for her 50th career victory with the Blazers.

Also, senior Diamond Rogers is within reach of her 1,000th career point. The guard/forward from Jackson, Miss. has 964 career points going into the weekend. Rogers leads UAB and Conference USA in scoring with 17.6 ppg, while averaging 18.5 ppg in league play. After playing sparingly and accumulating 150 points over her first two years combined, she has tallied more than 800 points in the past season and a half.

UAB and Rice will meet for the third time in series history on Friday, with the all-time series tied at one apiece. The Blazers were victorious in the last meeting, 79-66, a season ago at Houston, Texas.

The Blazers currently have a record of 9-10 overall and are tied for second place in the conference at 5-1 in league play. Rice has an overall record of 8-12 and is 1-5 in C-USA.

Rogers is leading UAB in points, rebounds and assists. Along with her 17.6 ppg, she has also added 8.3 rpg and 3.4 apg. Also getting it done offensively for the Blazers is senior guard Crystal McFadden at 13.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

Junior guard Britney Jones paces UAB in steals with 2.4 per outing while also scoring 11.0 ppg. Freshman guard Amanda Peterson has scored in double figures in 13 consecutive games, averaging 9.2 ppg overall and 13.3 ppg in league games.

Senior guard Kadie Riverin is Rice's leader on the floor with 12.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg and a team-best 3.4 apg. Senior forward Tiffany Loggins paces the Owls on the boards at 5.1 rpg while also adding 5.6 ppg and 13 blocks on the year.

Houston is one of the hottest teams in the league as of late, entering the weekend on a five-game win streak and holding an overall record of 11-9, including a 5-1 league mark that puts the Cougars in a tie with UAB for second place.

UAB and Houston will meet for the 17th time on Sunday, with the Blazers leading the all-time series at 9-7. UAB won last season's game in Houston, 84-63.

The Cougars are led by seniors Twiggy McIntyre and Tye Jackson. McIntyre is leading the team with 15.3 ppg, including a league-best 20.5 ppg in conference contests, while also adding a team-high 1.9 spg.

Jackson, C-USA's Preseason Player of the Year, is contributing 11.9 points, 4.8 boards and a team-best 4.0 assists per outing.

Fans can receive free admission to Sunday's game by presenting their ticket stub from Saturday evening's UAB vs. Marshall men's basketball game.