Women's Basketball | 11/18/2021 10:45:00 AM
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Mississippi Valley State University women's basketball program will look to get into the win column Friday morning when it heads to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to battle the Blazers.
What You Need to Know
- Time and Date: Friday, November 19 (11 a.m.)
- Records: Mississippi Valley State (0-1, 0-0 SWAC) | UAB (2-0, C-USA 0-0)
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama – Bartow Arena
- Series History: UAB Leads 9-0
- Last Meeting: November 13, 2017 | UAB 87, Mississippi Valley State 72 | Bartow Arena (Birmingham, Alabama)
- Winning Streak: UAB (W9) | Mississippi Valley State's Last Win: N/A
Mississippi Valley State Overview
The Green and White are currently second in the country behind only San Jose State (91.4%) for free throw percentage, draining 90% (9-of-10) of its shots from the charity stripe in the opener at Ole Miss last Sunday.
Ronni Williams was the primary bright spot for Coach Walker-Johnson's troops against the Rebels, fronting the Delta Devilettes in both points (12) and assists (3) while going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Williams currently stands as one of just 76 student-athletes to have hit all their freebies on the season.
The other standout Sunday was Mikayla Etienne, who connected on two of her four three-point attempts, producing a balanced stat line of eight points, six boards, three assists and a steal.
Scouting The Opponent: UAB Blazers
The Green and Gold have won its first two bouts by 31 points each, blowing out NCAA Division II's Shorter (76-45) and fellow HBCU Chicago State (81-50).
UAB was projected to finish 11th in its second-to-last season in Conference-USA before bolting for the American in 2023, coming off a 10-13 (3-11 conference) campaign.
The Blazers have been dominant on the glass, averaging 22 more rebounds than its opponents, good for seventh in the nation. They have been a force on the defensive end as well, allowing the tenth-lowest three-point percentage (14.8%) in the country and a top-35 scoring defense (47.5).
Zakyia Weathersby has been a one-woman wrecking crew for Alabama-Birmingham, averaging a double-double of 20 points and 11 boards while hitting an eye-popping 58.1% (18-of-31) from the court.
Three other Blazers are scoring at a double-figure clip as Emily Klaczek (12.0), Destinee McGhee (11.5) and Margaret Whitley (11.0) have been the recipient of numerous Caitlynn Daniels assists (4.5 per game) as she's consistently served up golden scoring opportunities.
Follow the Delta Devils and Delta Devilettes on Facebook (
Mississippi Valley State Athletics), Twitter (
@MVSUDevilSports) and Instagram (
@MVSUDevilSports).
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