BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Shockers claimed their first American Athletic Conference victory, defeating UAB 82-70 Saturday evening in Bartow Arena.
 
Salese Blow and Jayla Murray led Wichita State with 24 points apiece, a career high for Murray and career high tying performance for Blow.  Murray also led the team in rebounding with nine, and Blow shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line, becoming the first Wichita State player since Seraphine Bastin in 2020 to shoot 100 percent from the line with at least 10 attempts.
 
The Shockers out-rebounded the Blazers 45-41 and recorded 15 assists with just eight turnovers. Wichita State scored 38 points in the paint and shot 20-for-26 from the free throw line, its best free throw percentage since the Dec. 18 win over CSU Bakersfield.
 
In similar fashion to the teams' last meeting, Wichita State had to battle back after getting down 12 in the first quarter. The Shockers got off to a slow start, shooting just 4-for-19 (21.1 percent) in the first quarter. The game was tied at 7-7 before UAB went on a 13-2 run, and the Blazers led by as many as 12 in the first quarter.
 
The Shockers started to find their groove in the second quarter as Jayla Murray scored 13 of her points in the period to help cut the deficit to four going into halftime.
 
Wichita State poured it on in the third quarter, outscoring UAB by 11, holding the Blazers scoreless through the last 2:51 to take a seven-point lead going into the final quarter.
 
The Blazers came within three early in the fourth quarter, but Blow scored 10 points in the period to hold them off, hitting five free throws down the stretch to seal the deal.
 
Wichita State improves to 7-9 (1-2 AAC) as UAB falls to 9-6 (0-3 AAC), as the Shockers return home to take on South Florida Wednesday, Jan. 8 in Charles Koch Arena.