Second-Half Surge Not Enough for Tide in Fayetteville
1/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.??Despite 26 points from senior Kate Mastin and a second-half surge that repeatedly brought the Tide to within a basket of Arkansas, the Alabama women’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a seven-point halftime deficit, falling on the road to the Lady Razorbacks, 71-63.
The loss was Alabama’s fifth straight and dropped its conference record to 0-5.
“I was disappointed in the way the game ended,” Alabama head coach Stephany Smith said. “We had several opportunities to win this game but once again turnovers and giving up offensive rebounds killed us.”
Despite 32 turnovers for the game, Alabama had numerous chances to take the lead from Arkansas, but the Lady Razorbacks’ 21 offensive rebounds protected the lead long enough for the Hogs to eventually pull away for the 8-point win. Arkansas (17-3, 2-2) was held to just 14 percent shooting from 3, but the Razorbacks capitalized on Tide turnovers, scoring 30 points off Alabama miscues.
“You can’t win basketball in the SEC when you turn the ball over and give up offensive rebounds,” Smith said, “and we did both tonight.”
Mastin’s 26-point effort was the second time this season the Boaz native scored at least 20 and was her highest total since hitting eight 3-pointers in a 28-point effort against Cal State Northridge, Nov. 25.
“It was good to see Kate be able to find her offensive rhythm again,” Smith said. “She had struggled since the beginning of conference play, and it was good to see her play that well on the offensive side of the ball.”
Freshman Talisha Chandler contributed her second double-double of the year for the Tide with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and freshman Tamara Williams added nine points and 10 rebounds.
Arkansas was led by junior Lauren Ervin, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Alabama (10-10, 0-5 SEC) now begins its toughest home stand of the year, with the Tide hosting No. 8 LSU (17-2, 3-1 SEC) Sunday and No. 4 Tennessee (17-1, 4-0 SEC), Jan. 21.
