Bama Women's Basketball Falls at Vanderbilt, 64-53
2/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Marverly Nettles scored 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds, but Alabama could not overcome Vanderbilt's hot shooters in the second half, falling at Nashville, 64-53, on Thursday evening.
The loss drops the Tide's record to 13-13 overall and 4-9 in Southeastern Conference play. Vanderbilt improves to 20-6 on the season, including a 7-4 mark in conference action.
Both teams shot poorly in the opening half, as Alabama connected on just 31 percent of their attempts from the floor, while the Commodores managed a dismal 24 percent. Both squads hit just one of their seven three point attempts. However, Alabama still owned a one-point halftime advantage, 20-19.
The Tide and Commodores both reversed their opening half shooting woes, as Alabama shot an even 50 percent from the field in the second half. But Vanderbilt hit better than 58 percent from the floor and over 44 percent from behind the arc in the final period. Free throws were also a factor, as Vanderbilt finished 13 of 18 from the charity stripe.
The Commodores out-rebounded the Tide, 42-30, including a seven-board edge on the offensive glass. Alabama did wind up with fewer turnovers (17 to 16) and an edge in blocked shots (3 to 0).
"We played with more intensity and effort than at any other point within the past month of the season," Alabama Head Coach Rick Moody said. "We just missed too many lay-ups and some critical free throws, but we were in the game from the tip-off until the final buzzer."
Monique Bivins and Natasha Gamble were the only other Tide players to score in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Vanderbilt's Dee Davis led all scorers with 23 points, while Ashley Early dominated the glass, picking up 12 boards.
The Tide will celebrate Senior Day on Sunday, Feb. 27, as they welcome Pat Summit's Tennessee Lady Vols to Tuscaloosa. The game will be the final home game of the year for the Tide, as well as the final home game for Coach Rick Moody, who announced his retirement effective at the end of this season last Tuesday. The game is set to tip-off at 1 p.m., at Coleman Coliseum.
