Slow First Half Stops Alabama Women in Exhibition Finale
11/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA ?? The University of Alabama women’s basketball team was unable to overcome a difficult first half on the offensive end in a 66-59 loss to the seventh-ranked Division II team from Delta State in the Tide’s exhibition finale in Coleman Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
“We faced a very athletic, veteran team who lost just three games last season,” head coach Stephany Smith said. “We are very bogged down right now mentally in trying to learn all of the things we have added over the past few weeks, but this is all part of the learning process for our young team.”
The Tide shot just 29.2 percent in the opening half, failing to convert several opportunities from close range on the offensive end. Alabama didn’t help itself at the foul line either, shooting 7-of-13 as a team from the free-throw stripe. The Tide also committed 11 turnovers in the half.
Meanwhile, Delta State seemingly couldn’t miss. The Lady Statesmen shot 59.3 percent in the opening half, helping them build a 36-21 lead at the break.
Alabama responded in the second frame, shooting 45.2 percent from the floor while holding DSU to a 38.1 percent performance. The Tide pulled to within three late, but was unable to make enough shots down the stretch to overcome the deficit. Alabama went 9-of-11 from the foul line in the second half, but finished the game just 1-of-8 from the three-point arc.
Leading the way for the Tide on the offensive end was senior Navonda Moore. The preseason second team All-SEC selection had 11 points, the only Alabama player in double figures for the day. Moore added four steals and six rebounds to the effort.
Talisha Chandler, a true freshman, grabbed eight rebounds to go with her eight points while shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Classmate Nikki Davis scored nine points and dished three assists, while Tamara Williams chipped in eight points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field.
Delta State was led by Wyconda Thomas, who scored 15 points, one of three DSU players in double figures. Jessica Boyd scored 13 points and Jennifer Rushing had 11.
Alabama opens its regular season on Friday, Nov. 10 against instate rival Samford. The Tide women’s team kicks off a men’s-women’s doubleheader in Coleman Coliseum in the regular-season opener for both Alabama teams. The women are slated to tip-off at 5 p.m. with the men following immediately.
