Alabama
8-1
Georgia State University
4-5
Crimson Tide Women’s Basketball Picks up 80-57 Victory over Georgia State
12/15/2016 2:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Alabama finished with four in double figures
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's basketball team moved to 8-1 on the season with an 80-57 victory over Georgia State (4-5) Thursday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum. The game was played in front of a crowd of over 4,000 fifth graders, who were on hand for the team's 10th annual 5th Grade Fastbreak contest.
"I want to thank all of the local schools, all of the many fifth grade teachers and administrators that helped create just an amazing environment for our team today," said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. "We hope they had as much fun being here as we had fun having them here. What a great environment."
Junior Hannah Cook had a game-high 15 points to lead the Crimson Tide. She was joined in double figures by freshman Jordan Lewis (14), junior Quanetria Bolton (11) and sophomore Shaquera Wade (11). Lewis, Wade and junior Meoshonti Knight each pulled down a game-best eight rebounds, while Knight dished out a game-high four assists. For the Panthers, junior Makeba Ponder led the way with 15 points, and graduate student Tiffany Holston added eight points and eight rebounds.
Alabama started the game on the 12-2 run, eight of which were scored by Cook. The Tide extended its lead out to 17 at the 2:31 mark following a three from Wade, but Georgia State would go on to score the final 10 points of the first to pull within seven, 23-16.
The Panthers cut their deficit to five two minutes into the second, however Alabama would answer with the next five to lead 32-22 at the 5:48 mark. Georgia State closed the gap to five again on two occasions, but the Tide ended the quarter on a 6-3 run to lead 42-34 at the half.
Alabama scored the first nine points of the third to take a 17-point advantage. The Tide would go on to outscore the Panthers 18-6 in the quarter to lead 60-40 heading into the final frame. Alabama has now held its opponents to 15 or fewer points in 26 quarters this season and under 10 points in 13 periods.
In the fourth, Alabama extended the margin out to 27 following a three-pointer from Cook with 2:07 to go. Georgia State knocked down a pair of threes of its own down the stretch, and Tide junior Coco Knight hit a jumper, setting the final score at 80-57.
For the game, Alabama shot 45.9 percent (28-61), while Georgia State was 35.5 percent (22-62) from the floor. The Tide capitalized on 22 Panther miscues, scoring 29 points off turnovers. Once again, Alabama won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Georgia State, 43-40. The Tide also collected 11 steals, 12 assists and four blocks in the contest.
Alabama will play its final home game before the holiday break on Saturday when it hosts Georgia Tech at Coleman Coliseum. Tip is set for 2 p.m. CT. All fans are encouraged to bring a teddy bear or stuffed animal to toss at halftime to benefit the Salvation Army. The first 300 fans in the door will also receive an Alabama ugly Christmas sweater T-shirt.
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.
