Bama Women Hold Off Florida International, 60-54

Monday, January 03, 2005

Marverly Nettles

TUSCALOOSA - Marverly Nettles scored six of her team-high 17 points in the final 2:07 to propel Alabama to a 60-54 victory over a feisty Florida International squad on Monday night at Coleman Coliseum.

The win improves Alabama's record to 9-3 while the Panthers drop to 10-3 with the loss. The defeat snapped an eight-game win streak for FIU and allowed Alabama to avenge last year's trip to Miami, where FIU defeated the Tide, 61-55.

"First of all, I have to be happy to get a win against such a quality team," said UA head coach Rick Moody. "I thought we had moments of very solid play but also suffered through several lapses especially in our transition defense. Hopefully we can learn and build for our next game and keep things rolling."

FIU struggled to find any rhythm in the first half, connecting on just seven of their 24 shots from the field. The Tide did not fair much better, hitting just over 33 percent of their first half shots. But Alabama managed to out-rebound the Panthers in the opening period, pulling down 20 boards to FIU's 17. Alabama owned a four point lead at the halftime break, 24-20.

The Crimson Tide opened up a 16-point second half lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the game, spurred on by three consecutive three-point shots on three successive possessions. However, the Panthers would not go down without a fight, as Eva Makela responded with six points in two minutes to help shave the Alabama lead back down to single-digits. FIU narrowed the Tide advantage to only two points with just over one minute remaining. But Nettles' late game run was just enough to push the Tide into the win column.

"For a stretch in the second half we played about as good as we have played all season long," added Moody. "Once we built our lead, I thought we relaxed a little bit and they also began to make some plays. I was proud of how we stiffened up to their challenge and earned the victory."

In addition to leading the Crimson Tide in scoring, Nettles also grabbed a team best three steals. Navonda Moore contributed 14 points and Monique Bivins added 13. Natasha Gamble led Alabama on the glass, pulling down five boards off the bench.

Makela led all scorers with 19 points on better than 66 percent shooting from the field. Milena Tomova was the only other Panther to score in double-figures, contributing 13 points. Lasma Jekabsone out-paced all players on the boards, pulling down 12 total rebounds.

Alabama suits up once again on Wednesday night, welcoming South Dakota State into Coleman Coliseum at 7 p.m. The game marks the last non-conference game for the Crimson Tide, who begins their conference slate at home against the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY
(All photos by Michelle Lepianka)

Game Florida Intl 01
Monique Bivins drives the lane as she looks for a shot.