Tide Women?s Basketball Falls at Louisiana Tech
12/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Facing one of the traditional powers in women’s college basketball in three time national champion Louisiana Tech, the Crimson Tide fought hard for 40 minutes, but was unable to overcome an early second half run by Tech, losing a 66-57 decision on Saturday night. The loss was Alabama’s third road loss in as many tries in the 2006-07 season and extended the Tide’s road loss streak to seven games.
“I thought we had a long week from a mental standpoint, with final exams and graduation and everything else going on around us,” said head coach Stephany Smith. “We didn’t necessarily look slow physically, but we were a step behind mentally all night long. Tech is a tough team to play on the road, and they took advantage.”
The biggest obstacle for the Tide all night long was its inability to get any fluidity to its offense. Alabama shot just 33.3 percent from the field on the night, its lowest percentage of the season and the only time in the first 11 games under the 40-percent barrier. The Tide also committed 21 turnovers on the night while recording nine assists.
“I thought that Louisiana Tech did a good job defensively against us,” said Smith. “They took us out of our offense and we did not do a very good job of running it all night long. We give up on our offense too soon in the half-court, and that is something we are going to have to work on.”
Alabama put together a scrappy effort in the loss though. Louisiana Tech jumped out to a sizeable lead early in the second half and owned a 15-point lead with just 3:55 to play. The Tide kept fighting, however, and pulled to within seven points late. A Kate Mastin three-point shot that would have cut the lead to four rimmed in and out, and Louisiana Tech made enough free-throw shots down the stretch to hold on to its advantage.
Mastin and classmate Navonda Moore were once again the leaders on the offensive end for the Tide. Mastin scored 15 points, while Moore chipped in with 14 and were the only UA players in double figures in the scoring column.
True freshman Talisha Chandler had a career night on the boards, pulling down 12 for her first double-digit effort in rebounding. Fellow freshman Tamara Williams also put together a solid night for the Tide, establishing career marks in scoring with nine points and in rebounding with seven boards.
Alabama returns to its home floor for the first time since Dec. 4 on Monday when the Tide plays host to Birmingham Southern in Coleman Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
