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Furman Falls To UAB
Dec. 31, 2004
BIRMINGHAM - Furman junior Mivvi Strickland scored a career-high 18 points and claimed 12 rebounds, but it was not enough to give Furman a victory as the Lady Paladins fell 72-64 to UAB in the championship game of the Blazer Invitational Thursday night at Bartow Arena.
UAB shot 56% (14-of-25) in the first period and went on a 12-5 run with Furman leading 17-16 to pull ahead by six, 28-22, with 5:52 left in the half. A pair of UAB turnovers combined with a layup by Chrissy Phelps put the Lady Paladins within three with four minutes to play, but three Furman turnovers in the final 3:10 allowed the Blazers to take a six point lead, 34-28, into the halftime locker room.
Tommi Paris was Furman's top scorer in the first half, totaling eight points on two field goals and three made free throws. In the second period, Birmingham, Ala., native Mivvi Strickland went six-for-eight from the floor and collected six of her 12 rebounds on the night to keep Furman in the game. Katie Roach also aided the Furman inside game, totaling seven of her eight points after the halftime break. The Blazers shot a blistering 52% (13-of-25) from the field in the second half to hold off every Furman advance, and point guard Carmen Guzman totaled 20 points en route to tournament MVP honors.
"I thought we played hard for 40 minutes," said coach Sam Dixon. "But we had some breakdowns on defense and we didn't get scoring from everyone that usually helps us. I also have to give UAB credit - they are playing much better."
UAB's Guzman was joined on the all-tournament team by fellow Blazer Crystal McFadden, who also scored 20 against the Lady Paladins. Furman was represented by Strickland and point guard Tommi Paris, who ended the night with 12 points, two assists, and four steals. Princess Wells added 11 points to the Furman effort.
With the loss Furman falls to 8-3 overall. The Lady Paladins return to action on Sunday, Jan. 2, with a 2 p.m. game against the Spartans of UNC Greensboro.
