Alabama
Louisiana Tech
Women's Basketball Wins 2011 Paradise Jam
11/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2011
Alabama 67, Louisiana Tech 59 [Box Score]
Ericka Russell was named MVP, while Jasmine Robinson was selected to the All-Tournament Team
Crimson Tide Basketball Central
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ST. THOMAS, USVI - The women's basketball team won the 2011 Paradise Jam Island Division with a 67-59 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday. Senior Ericka Russell was named Tournament MVP, while sophomore Jasmine Robinson earned All-Tournament honors.
"The team has really worked hard, and today, it paid off," said Alabama head coach Wendell Hudson. "I cannot say enough about the effort of this team, especially playing three games in three days with as short a bench as we had. No one ever complained about playing a lot of minutes and everyone really stepped up big."
Robinson finished with a game-high 19 points, while Russell added 12 and sophomore Khristin Lee another 11. Junior Erin Hogue had a game-best 18 rebounds in addition to nine points.
"Jasmine played a great game and really kept us in it during the first half," added Hudson. "Erin came up with some key rebounds, especially late in the game. She deserves a lot of credit for the way she played defensively today."
Louisiana Tech (2-4) struck first with a basket 15 seconds into the game. Alabama (5-2) then scored five of the next six points to take a lead it would hold onto for the duration of the game. The Crimson Tide used a 15-3 run over the next seven minutes to pull in front 20-8 at the 11:34 mark. The Lady Techsters threatened late in the first, pulling within seven, but would not get any closer in the half, as Alabama would head into the break with a 36-28.
Louisiana Tech opened the second with a three to cut the Alabama lead to five, but Robinson would respond with a three of her own on the ensuing possession to bring the lead out to six. The Lady Techsters would battle to chip the deficit down to two at 47-45, but the Tide would go on to score seven unanswered points for the nine-point advantage with 8:28 to go. Alabama remained in front and hit key free throws down the stretch for the victory.
For the game, Alabama had 41 rebounds, including 16 on the offensive end, and 14 steals. The Tide forced 23 Lady Techster turnovers, while committing just 12.
Alabama returns home for a pair of games next weekend when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana and Kansas. The Tide will face off with the Lady Lions on Friday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. and will take on the Jayhawks on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. Both games will take place at Foster Auditorium.
For up-to-date news, like Alabama women's basketball on facebook at AlabamaWBB and follow the team on twitter @AlabamaWBB.
