Tide Women's Basketball Tops Florida, 77-66
2/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Monique Bivins scored a season-high 27 points and Krystle Johnson added 12 as the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Florida Gators, 77-66, on Sunday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum.
The win improves the Tide's record to 13-8 overall and 4-4 in the Southeastern Conference. Florida drops to 12-10 overall and 6-6 in conference play.
Bivins shot lights out from the field, connecting on 10 of her 15 shot attempts. She alone connected on just nine fewer shots than the entire Florida team, who shot dismally in both halves of play.
Alabama started the first half strong, racing out to a seven point lead with 12:14 remaining. The Gators managed to keep the game close by playing well on the defensive front, forcing 10 Tide turnovers. However, Florida shot just 22.2 percent from the field in the first period, and at the halftime break, the Gators trailed, 31-25.
Alabama capitalized on its first half momentum, starting the second period with a 15-4 run, stretching their lead to 19 points. The Tide shot well throughout the half, picking up several easy buckets under the basket, and eventually increased their lead to a game-high 25 points with less than 10 minutes remaining. A late Florida run narrowed the score, as the Gators drew to within seven points with under a minute to go. But Alabama, who shot nearly 74 percent collectively from the foul line, took advantage of Florida's late foul trouble, putting the game away from the charity stripe.
"I felt like we played with a lot of confidence, especially at the start of the second half," said UA head coach Rick Moody. "For a stretch, we may have played as good a basketball as we've played in several seasons. I was really proud of how we attacked on the offensive end and did a solid job on defense. This was an important game for us to win. It puts as back to 4-4 in the SEC and keeps us alive to do the things we want to do this season."
Dee Merriweather led the Tide in rebounding, pulling down 11 total boards, including six on the offensive end. Merriweather also added four blocks and was one of six Alabama players to record a steal.
Florida's Bernice Mosby scored a team-high 24 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Tashia Morehead connected on four of her eight three point attempts on her way to a 20-point performance.
Next for the Tide is a trip to Fayetteville, Ark, to face the Lady Razorbacks. The game is set to tip-off on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. Alabama will play four of its next five games on the road with the lone exception a rematch against rival Auburn on Feb. 17.
PHOTO GALLERY:
The Tide fans make their affection for Kate Mastin quite clear.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Lauren Hill drives the lane looking for an opening.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Kate Mastin lays the ball up for two.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Dee Merriweather gets ready to take the ball to the basket.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Navonda Moore and Marverly Nettles celebrate a big basket.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Navonda Moore fully entends for a rebound over a Gator defender.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Marverly Nettles fights off a defender.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
