Alabama
South Carolina
Women's Basketball Loses at South Carolina, 68-57
2/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Alabama women's basketball team fell to South Carolina 68-57 Sunday afternoon at the Colonial Life Arena.
"We are certainly disappointed," said head coach Wendell Hudson. "This is one of those games we could have won if we played our game and did everything right. We have to get back and go to work. This team has to believe they can get it done, but until they do they are not going to know what it feels like."
The Crimson Tide falls to 12-14 on the season and 0-11 in Southeastern Conference competition. The Gamecocks go to 10-14 and 2-9 in SEC play.
Alabama was led offensively by sophomore forward Tierney Jenkins, junior guard Dedrea Magee and freshman guard Ericka Russell, all with 12 points. Sophomore forward Katie Hancock and sophomore guard Varisia Raffington led the Tide with seven rebounds each. South Carolina's C.J. Pace led all scorers with 18 points.
Alabama jumped to a quick lead in the first half, going up 9-1, with Russell draining two jumpers and a three pointer. Alabama led the game, outside of a brief tie at 17-all with 10:59 left in the half, up to the 3:52 mark when South Carolina tied the game 27-27. The Tide went into the break trailing 34-31.
The Crimson Tide battled throughout the second half, keeping it close until an eight-point run put the Gamecocks up by 13 points with two minutes to go in the game.
The Tide shot 38 percent from the field and 11 percent from behind the arc. Alabama was 56 percent from the free throw line. South Carolina shot 42 percent from the field and 41 percent from behind the three point line. The Gamecocks shot 68 percent from the free throw line. South Carolina out rebounded the Tide 40-34.
Alabama returns home for a rematch with Ole Miss on Thursday, Feb. 19. Tip-off is schedule for 6 p.m. This game will serve as the Tide's Pink Zone game, raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
