Alabama
3-0
Lipscomb University
0-3
Five Score in Double Figures Again as Alabama Women’s Basketball Cruises Past Lipscomb, 82-35
11/17/2016 10:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Crimson Tide led 45-3 at halftime, holding the Lady Bisons scoreless for the first 17:32 of the game
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama's defense held Lipscomb scoreless over the opening 17:32 and allowed only three points in the first half en route to an 82-35 victory in women's basketball action on Thursday night in Coleman Coliseum. With the win, the Crimson Tide moves to 3-0 on the season, while the loss drops the Lady Bisons to 0-3.
"I really thought that we got better tonight," said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. "I loved our approach to starting the game and being able to sustain it through the second quarter. Our goal was to contest every shot. I think we had two uncontested shots charted at halftime. Obviously they came at us during the third quarter. We were not able to be mature enough to handle them. Then during the fourth quarter, I thought we played better."
Junior Hannah Cook led Alabama in nearly every category with 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and for the third consecutive game, the Tide had five in double figures as Cook was joined by junior Meoshonti Knight and freshman Jordan Lewis, who each had 12 points, while junior Coco Knight added a career-best 11 points and sophomore Shaquera Wade 10 points. Junior Ashley Williams tied Cook for the most rebounds with eight, and Lewis dished out a game-high five assists. Freshman Ashley Knight upped her season block total to eight after swatting away three in the game.
Lipscomb was led in scoring by junior Laure Assena, who recorded eight points. Freshman Kaylee Cotton finished with a team-best five rebounds for the Lady Bisons.
Alabama scored the first 39 points in the game until a jumper by freshman Lexi Manos at the 2:28 mark in the second quarter got Lipscomb on the board. The Tide would end the half on a 6-1 run, setting the score at 45-3 heading into the locker room.
The teams traded baskets for much of the second half, however Alabama would continue to lead by no less than 40 points over the final 20:00 of play.
As a team, UA connected on 48.5 percent (32-66) of its attempts from the floor, while Lipscomb made 22.6 percent (14-62) for the game. The Tide outrebounded the Lady Bison, 54-34, and outscored Lipscomb 48-6 in the paint. Alabama also had 22 points off the fast break, while the Lady Bison had zero.
"A lot of people had minutes," added Curry. "We are at a point in our season where we are trying to see who is ready to play (in terms of) minimizing mistakes and minimizing taking plays off. Again, I thought we played better, but the most important thing is to be better tomorrow. We've got to get better with each day and just focus on having the best day we can have. I was pleased with our team's effort and energy overall tonight."
Next up, Alabama hosts Georgia Southern on Tuesday, Nov. 22 in Coleman Coliseum. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. CT tip on SEC Network +.
For all the latest information on the team, follow AlabamaWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
