Bama Women's Basketball Successful in First Exhibition Game
11/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
 |
|
TUSCALOOSA - The University of Alabama women's basketball team used a fast start and aggressive play on both ends of the court in earning an impressive 98-66 exhibition game victory over Berry College on Sunday afternoon.
The Crimson Tide led by double-digits just five minutes into play and never looked back in their season debut. Bama had leads of over 30 points several times in the contest and saw all 12 eligible players score against the Vikings.
True freshman Navonda Moore led a quartet of Tide players in double figure points scoring 22 on 9-of-15 shooting. Junior Monique Bivins finished with 18 points including 16 in the opening half and redshirt freshman chipped in 16 points. Sophomore Dee Merriweather posted a double-double with 11 points and a team leading 11 rebounds.
"It was the kind of game I expected," said UA head coach Rick Moody, in his 15th season at Alabama. "Being our first game we tried to run people in and out. We didn't get the kind of continuity I would have liked, but we played everybody, including a large group of young kids, so that was a good thing. I was disappointed most with our level of conditioning. We work on that in practice but I think the team realized that game shape is definitely different than practice shape. I saw some good things, some things we can definitely build on. We just have to get back in practice and keep working."
Alabama led 52-20 at the half but found themselves in a battle in the second half earning a 46-46 over the second stanza.
For the game Alabama connected on 41 of 93 attempts (44.1 percent), including five of 13 from the three-point line. Bama handed out 18 assists led by four from Bivins and outrebounded Berry College 54-39. The Tide finished with 31 offensive rebounds and forced 33 turnovers by the Vikings.
Lauren Phillips scored 16 points to lead Berry College.
The Crimson Tide returns to preseason practice for another week before playing their second and final exhibition contest on Nov. 18 against the Premier Players. UA faces Michigan on Nov. 24 in the regular season opener.
Alabama 52-46—98
Berry College 20-46—66
