Women's Basketball Opens Paradise Jam with Old Dominion
11/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2011
ST. THOMAS, USVI - The women's basketball team will look to improve on its two-game winning streak when it opens play at the 2011 Paradise Jam with Old Dominion on Thursday at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports & Fitness Center. Tipoff is slated for Noon CT.
Thursday's game marks just the second meeting between the Crimson Tide and Lady Monarchs and the first in over a decade. In the lone meeting, which took place on Dec. 5, 1998, Alabama came out on top 79-68 over Old Dominion in Richmond, Va., at the Wachovia Women's Invitational.
The Tide (3-1) is winners of two straight after downing Northwestern State and Georgia Southern, winning by an average of 29.5 points. Senior Ericka Russell led all scorers in Alabama's most recent game, collecting 15 points. She was followed closely by sophomore Jasmine Robinson, who added 14. The Tide out-rebounded the Eagles 44-31, tallying 17 offensive rebounds in the process. Alabama forced 25 Georgia Southern turnovers, scoring 32 points off those turnovers, while dominating in the paint, 32-6.
Old Dominion has yet to win a game this season (0-4), however the Lady Monarchs have faced some stiff competition early, hosting Virginia Tech in their season opener, and playing a pair of road contests at Georgia Tech and Stanford. Senior Tia Lewis leads the team in points per game and rebounds per game with averages of 13.5 and 7.0, respectively. She is trailed by freshman Ashley Betz-White, who contributes 12.3 points per game, and a team-best 2.5 assists per outing.
Alabama will play an additional two games at the tournament, taking on Seton Hall on Friday at Noon and Louisiana Tech on Saturday at 2:15 p.m.
Fans can follow along with a live web stream of all three games in addition to listen live on the Crimson Tide Sports Network. To access, click here.
For up-to-date news, like Alabama women's basketball on facebook at AlabamaWBB and follow the team on twitter @AlabamaWBB.
