Alabama
Vanderbilt
Alabama Women's Basketball Edged by Vanderbilt, 54-48
1/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama women's basketball team lost its first game of the season at home on Sunday, falling 54-48, to Vanderbilt in Southeastern Conference action at Foster Auditorium. The Crimson Tide (12-4, 1-2 SEC) led for the majority of the game, but the Commodores (12-4, 1-2 SEC) outscored UA, 23-12, in the final quarter for the win.
"I think the credit goes to Vanderbilt," said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry, "I thought their decisions and choices down the stretch were very good. I thought their execution was better than ours. I thought they were poised and calm and looked mature with the basketball where at times we did not. You credit Vanderbilt on a day like today. I thought we didn't take very good care of the basketball. We had three turnovers at halftime and 11 in the second half. We couldn't make shots. When your starting lineup can't have a second double-digit scorer, we've got to do a better job of making plays and being aggressive."
Junior Breanna Hayden, making her first start of the season, nailed a jumper on the opening possession, sparking a 7-2 run for Alabama over the first 4:30. Vanderbilt responded, scoring six of the final eight points of the quarter, but the Tide remained in front at the end of the first, 9-8.
Alabama would, again, score on its first trip down the court as freshman Shaquera Wade drained a three-pointer at the 9:19 mark. The Tide went on to lead by as many as five in the quarter and would take a 20-17 advantage into the locker room at the half.
The Commodores strung together a 9-5 run at the start of the third to take its first lead of the game, 26-25, with 7:01 remaining in the quarter. Vanderbilt held on for the next few minutes, but eight unanswered points for Alabama to end the third gave the Tide the lead back and a 36-31 edge heading into the final quarter.
The Commodores used another strong start, outscoring Alabama 9-0, to take a 40-36 lead. Vanderbilt would hold on for the duration, leading by as many as eight down the stretch.
Hayden led the Tide in scoring with 10 points. She was followed by sophomores Quanetria Bolton and Karyla Middlebrook, who added nine points each. Hayden also collected a career-high and game-best eight rebounds. The Commodores were led by sophomore Christa Reed, who scored 17 points.
For the game, Alabama actually had a better percentage from the floor than Vanderbilt did, hitting 34.6 percent (18-52) compared to 31.9 percent (15-47), however the Commodores hit seven three-pointers and were 17-of-21 from the free throw line. The Tide made five threes and was 7-of-13 from the stripe.
"In the zone, you've got to do a great job of beating that first girl and kicking and getting the ball to the high post," added Curry. "I thought we started the game really well, and throughout the course of the game we just couldn't make enough shots. That's the bottom line. You can tell again from the free throw line. We are 7-of-13. Free throws make a difference and getting to the line makes a difference."
At halftime of the game, several of the team's alumni were welcomed back and recognized at center court as part of the alumni reunion festivities. Over 35 years of Alabama women's basketball was represented.
"I do want to thank the incredible group of alums that were here," said Curry. "We had over 40, and it is something that we are doing every other year. Just their presence was appreciated. All of them that were a part of this program when it started and to come back and embrace us means the world to all of us, so I want to thank them and their families for being here today."
Next up, Alabama heads to Auburn to take on the Tigers on Thursday, Jan. 14, in Auburn Arena. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network +.
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