Throwback Tuesdays: Nov. 14, 1997
11/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2009
Each Tuesday throughout the course of the season, Rolltide.com will feature highlights from a moment in Alabama women’s basketball history that happened during that week. This is the first installment of Throwback Tuesday.
On Nov. 14, 1997, the Crimson Tide faced off with Furman in the first round of the Preseason WNIT to open up the regular season. Alabama had already dispatched two opponents in its exhibition games by at least 20 points, and this game was much of the same.
The Tide dominated from tip-off, taking a commanding 49-12 halftime lead. Furman was stifled by the Alabama defense, as the Paladins only managed to shoot a frigid 25.9 percent from the floor. Furman only connected on a total of14 field goals, five of which were assisted. The Tide forced 32 turnovers and racked up what would be a season-best in blocks with 11. Meanwhile, the Alabama offense finished the game shooting at a blistering mark of 50.8 percent on its way to a 91-41 victory. The Tide was led by 23 points from junior Dominique Canty, who would go on to be an All-American and Naismith Award Finalist that season.
Alabama finished the 97-98 season with a record of 24-10, the seventh straight season head coach Ricky Moody guided his team to at least 20 wins. The Tide made a run to the championship game of the SEC Tournament before falling to top-ranked Tennessee 67-63. Alabama then played host to one of the sub-regional sites of the NCAA Tournament. The Tide managed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in Lubbock, Texas, but saw its season end at the hands of No. 4 Louisiana Tech 71-57. Alabama finished the season ranked No. 11 in both the AP and USA TODAY/ESPN polls.
