Box Score HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTOS
HUNTSVILLE | The University of Alabama in Huntsville women's basketball team started conference play on Saturday afternoon with a triumph, defeating visiting West Alabama 84-60 at Kelly Court at Spragins Hall. The Lady Chargers improve to 6-1 (1-0 Gulf South Conference) on the season, while UWA slips to 3-4 (0-1 GSC).
 
Jasmine Hammon and Jordan Smith paced the Lady Chargers as the pair scored 49 of the team's points with Hammon leading the way with 26 and Smith pouring in 23.
 
The visitors held the lead through much of the opening minutes of the contest and enjoyed a 14-10 advantage with 12:23 left in the first half, but UAH rattled off eight straight points in less than two minutes to start a 17-6 run that would put the Lady Chargers up 27-18 with 6:32 remaining until the halftime break.
 
UAH would go into the locker room at the half holding that same nine-point advantage at 41-30.
 
Building upon their lead, UAH outscored the Tigers 11-4 over the first seven minutes of the second half to take a 16-point lead at 51-35 with 13:14 left in the contest, and West Alabama could get no closer than 11 down the stretch as the Lady Chargers pulled away to the victory.
 
The Lady Chargers shot 40.6 percent from the field for the game including hitting 11 3-pointers as Smith drained a team-best six attempts from beyond the arc, and UAH limited West Alabama to a shooting mark of 35.4 percent.
 
On the glass the hosts held a 49-45 edge as Juanice Newton grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds, while Halle Jarnagin was also strong with eight boards.
 
UAH will return to action on Thursday when conference play continues with Christian Brothers. The opening tip is slated for 5:30 p.m. at Kelly Court at Spragins Hall.