Tide Hosts Auburn in SEC Home Opener on Thursday
1/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2012
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The women's basketball team (10-5, 0-1 SEC) will host Auburn (8-6, 0-1 SEC) in the Crimson Tide's SEC home opener on Thursday. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT in Foster Auditorium.
"The big key for us in this game tomorrow is about what we are going to do," said Alabama head coach Wendell Hudson. "We need to execute and have some patience on offense. We also need to box out and rebound. When Auburn and Alabama play, it is always going to be a hard-fought basketball game and usually comes down to who is willing to make those extra plays."
Both the Tide and the Tigers lost their first conference games of the season as Alabama suffered a 68-42 decision at South Carolina last Sunday, while Auburn dropped a 73-52 contest to No. 7/8 Tennessee at home. Thursday's game marks the 74th in the series that began in 1975. The Tigers currently hold a 40-33 advantage over the Tide, however, Alabama won the last meeting, 59-51, at Auburn on February 17, 2011.
In Sunday's loss to the Gamecocks, the Tide gave up 16 offensive rebounds, while South Carolina capitalized on 20 Alabama turnovers en route to the win. Despite the loss, sophomore guard Jasmine Robinson led all scorers with 16 points, all of which were scored in the second half. She was followed by senior guard Ericka Russell, who added nine points. On the season, the Tide is led in scoring by Robinson, who averages 13.3 points per game. She is followed by junior guard Meghan Perkins (10.5 ppg) and Russell (10.4 ppg).
Auburn has dropped its last two contests, first with a 64-55 decision at FIU, followed by the loss to the Lady Vols. The Tigers are 1-3 on the road this season. Freshman Hasina Muhammad leads Auburn in scoring with 10.4 point per game. She is followed by sophomore Tyrese Tanner (10.0 ppg). As a team, Auburn leads the SEC in blocks with 6.4 per game.
