Tide Falls at No. 15 Vanderbilt, 91-51
2/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Scott Latta
UA Media Relations
NASHVILLE??The 15th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores shot 64 percent from the field and hit nine 3-pointers, extending a 19-point halftime lead to a 91-51 final Sunday in front of 3,785 people at Memorial Gymnasium.
The Commodores hit their first eight shots, racing out to a 15-0 lead despite what Alabama coach Stephany Smith called an “intense” defense, which forced 23 turnovers.
“We played with intensity in the first half,” Smith said, “but you have to give credit to Vanderbilt. Any time you shoot higher than 70 percent from the field you’ve executed your offense well, and they did that today.”
Lead by senior Kate Mastin’s 21 points and 5-of-9 shooting from the 3-point line, the Alabama offense struggled to find a rhythm, turning the ball over 31 times while playing without leading scorer Navonda Moore, who was out with injury, and point guard Alyson Butler, who didn’t travel due to illness.
Early foul trouble sidelined freshmen Talisha Chandler and Tamara Williams, leaving Smith to look to a short bench for contributions. Responding were freshman Dedrea Magee, who added five points and three steals, and senior Leah Drury, who added six points and four assists in 20 minutes.
“I thought Dedrea off the bench played her best basketball,” Smith said. “She played with a lot of confidence and played very aggressive defense.
“Our seniors, Kate and Leah really played hard in a situation where they could have given up, and I have a lot of respect for what they did,” she said.
Vanderbilt (20-4, 6-3 SEC) missed only 10 shots in Sunday’s game, going 32-of-42 from the field and 9-of-12 from the 3-point line.
Alabama (10-14, 0-9 SEC) returns to Tuscaloosa to face No. 14 Georgia Thursday, Feb. 8 at Coleman Coliseum.
