BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jacksonville State's women's basketball squad will carry a two-game winning streak on the road on Monday night as they get set for a non-conference battle at UAB. That in-state showdown at Bartow Arena in Birmingham will tip-off at 6 p.m. It begins a four-game road slate for Jax State, as they will not return home until Dec. 16. 
 
The Gamecocks (2-3) scored their second straight victory on Monday night in Jacksonville, using a smothering defensive effort to down Life University 83-31. Those 31 points by the Running Eagles mark the second fewest allowed in program history by the Red-and-White. Asia Barclay secured the first double-double of the season with an 11-point, 10-rebound outing and two other performers- Shaquice May (12 points) and Bre'Anna Rhodes (10)- had double digits scoring as well.
 
That win comes on the heels of a 67-53 result over visiting Alabama-Huntsville on Nov. 17 at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Jax State's 2-0 start at home has been in large part due to their strength in a pair of key statistics. In those wins, Jacksonville State has out-rebounded their opponents 94-67 and forced 36 turnovers. They will look to continue that dominance in Jefferson County on Monday as they take on an impressive UAB (4-1) bunch.
 
"We practiced Tuesday morning after the Life game," head coach Rick Pietri said. "We took three days off and gave everyone a short break for the holiday before reconvening and practicing Saturday and Sunday in preparation of UAB."
 
After narrowly topping Shorter in an exhibition on Nov. 1, the Blazers picked up two Division I wins to start the year at home against Alabama A&M (70-63) and Western Carolina (81-56). They split pairings with Eastern Kentucky and Alaska Anchorage in the mid-November Great Alaska Shootout, then used a big second half to pull away from Valparaiso in a 78-68 triumph on Saturday.
 
11^th-year head coach Randy Norton returns nine players from last year's 14-win team, but their top producer has been newcomer Mia Moore. The Mississippi State transfer has logged a team-best 19.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game through the first five contests of the 2023-24 campaign. 6-foot-2 forward Tracey Bershers has also done well in her second season in Birmingham, averaging 11.2 points and 4.4 boards per contest.
 
"UAB is extremely well coached and possesses a very athletic back court and a super skilled front court," Pietri said. "They spread you out on offense and close gaps with their defense. We'll work to take advantage of the strengths we believe we have."
 
That matchup in the Magic City will be the first between the two programs in nearly 20 years. Jax State handed UAB a 73-66 setback in Calhoun County in the previous pairing on Dec. 13, 2003. The Gamecocks are 2-5 versus the Blazers since their move to Division I in 1995-96, including an 0-4 mark on the road in the series.

Jacksonville State partakes in a trip across the Yellowhammer State this week. They will travel to UAB on Monday, Alabama State on Thursday, and Samford on Sunday. After playing at the College of Charleston on Dec. 11, the Red-and-White will finally return home on Dec. 16 to host Coastal Carolina. 
 
Monday's game in Birmingham will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Logan Maddox will handle the Gamecock Sports Network broadcast. Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats will be provided at Jax StateSports.com. In addition, score updates and highlights will be posted on Jax State Women's Basketball's X account (@JaxStateWBB).
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.