UAB 87, Mississippi Valley State 72

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -  Despite a 22-point, five-assist outing from LaKendra Bassett, Mississippi Valley State fell to UAB 87-72 Saturday afternoon at Bartow Arena during coach Ashley Walker's debut on the Devilettes' sideline.

Desiray Mosley added 18 points for the Devilettes (0-1), who shot 34.7 percent from the floor (26-of-75) and was 11-of-46 from three-point land. Kristy Parker put in 10 points and made five swipes for Mississippi Valley, but struggled from the floor to the tune of a 4-of-21 shooting night.

Katelynn Thomas was 11-of-13 from the floor with 22 points and five rebounds. Rachael Childress posted a double-double for the Blazers with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Miyah Barnes posted 11 points and dished out seven assists.

Mississippi Valley managed to force 22 UAB turnovers, compared to just 10 committed. However, the Devilettes were unable to cool off UAB from the field, particularly during the second half as the Blazers knocked down 65.5 percent of its tries in the third and fourth quarters, shooting 50 percent fromt he floor (33-of-66) for the game.

The Devilettes hung tough with UAB after one, trailing 17-16 going into the second. UAB managed to stretch its lead thanks to a 25-13 scoring advantage in the period and never looked back, as MVSU got no closer than within 12 points the rest of the way.