Alabama Comes Up Short Against Auburn, 74-63
2/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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TUSCALOOSA - Navonda Moore scored a season-high 20 points and collected nine rebounds but Alabama could not overcome poor shooting from the field, falling to the Auburn Tigers, 74-63, on Thursday evening at Coleman Coliseum.
The loss drops the Tide's record to 13-11 overall and 4-7 in Southeastern Conference play. The Tigers improve to 14-10 overall and 5-6 in league action.
Alabama managed to stay within striking distance of the Tigers in the first half, but never held an opening period lead. The Crimson Tide shot just 31 percent in the first half, while Auburn connected on nearly 48 percent of their shot attempts. Despite that disparity, the Tigers largest lead was only eight points. The Tide trailed Auburn by only six at the halftime break, 34-28.
Alabama showed promise at the beginning of the second period, slowly eroding the Auburn advantage to take a 42-41 lead with 14:42 remaining in the game. But the Tigers shot just as well in the second half as they did in the first. Despite doubling up the Tigers on the offensive boards, 22-11, Alabama could not overcome their shooting woes in the second period.
Natasha Gamble scored 15 points and Monique Bivins added 14 to round out the Tide's top scorers. Dee Merriweather led Alabama on the glass with 13 total rebounds, including nine under her own basket.
Auburn's Natasha Brackett scored a game-high 32 points on 11 of 17 shooting from the field. Brackett connected on three of her six three point shots and seven of eight free throw attempts. Nicole Louden was the only other Tiger to score in double-digits, pouring in 23 points, including 11 from the charity stripe.
"When you look at the numbers, and you see that one guard gets 32 points and the other scores 23 points and that adds up to 55 of their 74 points, all I can do is give those two a lot of credit," Alabama head coach Rick Moody said. "When they are making plays and we aren't answering on the other end of the floor, you are going to have a hard time winning."
Next up for the Tide is a journey to Columbia, S.C., to face the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday, Feb. 20. Game time is set for 1 p.m. CT.
PHOTO GALLERY
Monique Bivins gets tangled up as she tries to grab a loose ball.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Monique Bivins drives toward the bucket.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Bama soccer player Emily Pitek gets in the spirit of the rivalry.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)
Natasha Gamble pleads her case.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)
Natasha Gamble attacks the boards.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)
Lateefah Joye tries to get around an Auburn defender.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)
Kate Mastin tries to get the ball inside.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Dee Merriweather hauls in a rebound.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Coach Rick Moody calls out instructions.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Navonda Moore hangs up in the air as she looks for an open shot.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)
Navonda Moore gets physical in the lane.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)
Navonda Moore shoots for some of her team-leading 20 points.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
