UAH Women Top Alabama A&M 73-64 to Claim Mayor's Cup Exhibition

The University of Alabama in Huntsville women's basketball team began its season with a 73-64 victory over Alabama A&M on Monday night, winning the Mayor's Cup exhibition game at the Alabama A&M Event Center in Normal.

The first quarter was tightly contested, with the Chargers and Bulldogs trading the lead. Newcomer Paris Opelt and Ivey Maddox combined for 12 of UAH's 22 points in the period. UAH went into halftime ahead 36-31 and controlled the second half to build its nine-point margin.

Lilli Wilken paced all scorers with 25 points, 14 of them after the break, and finished a perfect 9-for-9 at the free-throw line. She also had nine rebounds and two assists. Millie Brown added 20 points, most of them from long range, where she made 5 of 8 three-point attempts. Brown also contributed three assists, two steals and two rebounds.

Alabama A&M was led by Kamiyha Griffin, who made all six of her field-goal attempts and scored 14 points with two assists. Sumayah McIntosh had 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jaida Belton recorded a double-double with 13 rebounds and 11 points, and Moses Davenport added 11 points and five rebounds.

The result carries some historical weight for UAH. It was the program's first win over Alabama A&M since Connie Guinn's Chargers beat the Bulldogs in November 1998. It was also UAH's first road victory at Alabama A&M since December 1985, when head coach Debbie McBeath guided the team to a 71-63 win.

UAH shot 21-of-53 from the floor, or 39.6 percent, and made 20 of 23 free throws, 87 percent. The Chargers collected 40 rebounds, 27 of them on the defensive end. They scored 18 points off 19 Alabama A&M turnovers and added 17 fast-break points, 20 points in the paint, 16 bench points and 12 second-chance points.

Alabama A&M struggled with its shooting, hitting 22 of 65 field-goal attempts, or 33.8 percent, and 18 of 31 free throws, or 58.1 percent. The Bulldogs did dominate the boards with 43 rebounds, 23 of them on the offensive glass. They scored 17 points off 24 UAH turnovers and finished with 36 points in the paint, 25 bench points, 13 second-chance points and nine fast-break points.