BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — The UAB women’s basketball team used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from Mississippi Valley State and secure an 86-62 victory on Saturday afternoon at Bartow Arena.

The Blazers, improving to 6-5 on the season, turned a competitive first half into a comfortable win by outscoring the Devilettes 26-15 in the pivotal third period. Mississippi Valley State, which fell to 1-10, kept the game within reach early but could not overcome a prolonged scoring drought and UAB’s efficient offense after halftime.

UAB established control early in the third quarter, stretching a 38-24 halftime lead. The Blazers opened the second half with a 13-4 run, fueled by a three-pointer from Cali Smallwood and a driving layup from Sofia Munoz. The Devilettes struggled to find consistent offense, committing five turnovers in the quarter that UAB converted into easy transition opportunities. The Blazers’ offensive rating of 107.1, compared to Mississippi Valley State’s 74.5, underscored the efficiency gap that defined the game.

Munoz, a guard from Canovanas, Puerto Rico, led all scorers with 14 points, adding three assists and a steal in 27 minutes. Her backcourt partner, Journey Armstead of Tulsa, Oklahoma, directed the offense with eight points and three assists. UAB’s frontcourt provided balanced scoring, with Molly Moffitt of Seattle contributing 15 points, Monae Duffy of Lafayette, Louisiana, adding 11, and Smallwood finishing with 12.

Mississippi Valley State was led by Desiree Smith, a 6-foot-2 forward from Fayetteville, North Carolina, who scored a team-high 17 points in just 16 minutes off the bench. Guard Ariel Jefferson of Clarendon, Arkansas, played 30 minutes, recording 14 points and a game-high four blocked shots. Sydnei Marshall of Memphis, Tennessee, added 11 points.

The game began with the Devilettes showing early fight. Marshall hit a three-pointer less than two minutes into the game to give Mississippi Valley State a 5-0 lead. UAB responded with a 10-0 run, but the Devilettes stayed close, trailing just 22-16 after the first quarter. The second quarter, however, saw Mississippi Valley State’s offense stall, managing only eight points as UAB built its 14-point halftime advantage.

The statistical sheet highlighted UAB’s advantages. The Blazers shot 43.3 percent from the field and a stellar 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, making 24 of 28 attempts. Mississippi Valley State connected on just 33.8 percent of its field goals and struggled profoundly at the line, hitting only 15 of 30 free throws. UAB also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 20 points off 16 Devilette miscues, and dominated inside with 46 points in the paint.

Defensively, UAB’s pressure was consistent, forcing Mississippi Valley State into difficult shots. The Devilettes made only 3 of 17 attempts from three-point range. Jefferson’s four blocks and eight team steals provided defensive highlights for Mississippi Valley State, but they were offset by the team’s offensive struggles.

The most important part of the game was UAB’s decisive third-quarter run, which effectively ended the contest as a competitive affair. After a first half where Mississippi Valley State showed resilience, the Blazers opened the second half with heightened defensive intensity and offensive purpose. The 13-4 spurt to start the third quarter, featuring forced turnovers and efficient scoring, stretched the lead to 23 points and removed any doubt about the outcome, allowing UAB to cruise through the final period.

The announced attendance was 245 at Bartow Arena. UAB will next host Samford on Monday. Mississippi Valley State opens Southwestern Athletic Conference play at home against Alabama A&M on Jan. 1.