Women?s Basketball Falls to Auburn, 74-49
2/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
AUBURN, Ala. - Despite jumping out to an early lead, the University of Alabama women's basketball team (8-17, 1-9 SEC) was unable to get past rival Auburn (17-7, 5-4 SEC), as the Tide fell 74-49 on the road Thursday night. Tierney Jenkins continued her strong play with her first SEC double-double.
Alabama came out of the gate strong, building an 11-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game. The start was fueled by Tierney Jenkins who scored eight of the team's first 11 points.
Jenkins posted a double-double for the Tide with 11 points and 10 rebounds on the game. Dedrea Magee led the team in scoring with 14 to go along with a team-high five steals. Courtney Strauthers added 12 points for Alabama, and Talisha Chandler provided some good minutes off the bench with seven points and six rebounds.
"Tonight we found our fight and chemistry again," head coach Stephany Smith said. "We played a lot better tonight."
After the strong start, the Tide struggled to score from the field, finishing at 34 percent (18-for-53) for the game. Magee knocked down Alabama's two three-pointers leaving the team at 29 percent (2-for-7) from deep.
Auburn shot 44 percent (25-for-57) from the floor and 57 percent (4-for-7) from beyond the arc. The Tigers held a narrow edge on the boards, out-rebounding the Tide 42-36.
Despite falling into an early hole, Auburn managed to take a 36-25 lead into the halftime break. Alabama weathered a 14-3 Auburn second half run and pull within eight but was unable to draw any closer.
DeWanna Bonner led the Tigers in four statistical categories, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five blocks. Sherell Hobbs and Alli Smalley each scored in double figures with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
The Tide will hit the road again for its next contest, visiting the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday, February 17. The game will have an early start time with the tip-off scheduled for noon.
