Alabama Women's Hoops Falls to Auburn, 72-40
2/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Katie Sipe and Monique Bivins each scored 12 points and Dee Merriweather pulled down 11 rebounds, but the University of Alabama women's basketball team could not stifle Auburn's three-point shooters, falling 72-40 on Senior Night at Coleman Coliseum.
The loss drops the Tide's record to 12-14 overall and 4-9 in Southeastern Conference play. The Tigers, ranked 18th in the nation, improve to 21-6 overall and 9-4 in conference play.
The Tigers caught fire early in the contest, jumping out to a 14-point lead midway through the first half, as Le'Coe Willingham accounted for 7 of the Tigers first 16 points. The Tide tried to keep the game within reach before the half, narrowing the Tiger's advantage to six points with just under four minutes remaining. However, Auburn's late half rally, spurred by Nitasha Brown's five quick points, put the Tigers on top at the break, 33-21.
The second half was a nightmare for the Tide, as the Tigers shot over 56 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc. Alabama, meanwhile, connected on only 7 of 21 second half shots from the field, and only three from three-point territory. Bama committed 18 turnovers on the night, while the Tigers gave the ball up only five times. Auburn also owned an advantage on the glass, pulling down 37 boards to Alabama's 30.
"We just could not attack and when we did get the ball inside, we didn't make those shots," Alabama head coach Rick Moody said. "[Auburn's] defense was really, really good. It is a little disappointing to lose that way but give credit where credit is due, Auburn is a very good team that played extremely well tonight on both ends of the floor."
Willingham finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, leading the Tigers in both categories. Mandisa Stevenson scored 14 points on 2 of 4 shooting from three-point territory.
Alabama seniors Manisha Redus and Oreal Taylor were recognized in a pre-game ceremony in celebration of their outstanding collegiate careers. Redus, a guard from Decatur, has scored 353 points in her career at the Capstone. Taylor, a guard from Courtland, has scored 134 points with the Tide, while also pulling down 158 rebounds.
The Tide will close out the 2003-2004 regular season on Sunday, February 29, with a visit to Starkville, Miss. to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The game is set to tip off at 3 p.m. at the Humphrey Coliseum.
