Alabama
3-1
Clemson
2-2
Johnson’s Career-High 24 Points Leads Alabama Past Clemson, 76-56
11/19/2018 10:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide finished the game with four players in double figures
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Junior Cierra Johnson scored a career-high 24 points as the Alabama women's basketball team ran past Clemson, 76-56, on Monday night inside Coleman Coliseum.
"I'm really proud of our team," head coach Kristy Curry said. "We showed great effort, tremendous energy, and toughness. That is something we challenged our players with during the past two days after coming back from our road trip. We have got to continue to get better, and I thought the past two days we really focused on that and I think it showed tonight. I appreciate our crowd and we are all thankful to be a part of the Alabama family and we appreciate their support tonight."
Johnson shot 8-of-11 from the floor to go along with four rebounds and three assists, while junior Jasmine Walker scored 15 points and went 3-of-6 from three-point land. Senior Shaquera Wade contributed an all-around performance, scoring 13 points, dishing out six assists, and grabbing four rebounds. Freshman De'Sha Benjamin came just two rebounds shy of a double-double after scoring 10 points and pulling down eight boards.
After Clemson jumped out to a 10-4 lead to start the game, Alabama responded with an 8-0 run to move in front 12-10 with 5:14 to play in the game's opening quarter. The Crimson Tide then buckled down defensively and held the Tigers scoreless for over six minutes and forced nine turnovers. After the first, Alabama held a 17-12 advantage.
With the score tied at 19-19, the Tide connected on back-to-back three pointers by Walker and Johnson and led 25-19 with 6:09 remaining in the second. Alabama finished the half on an 11-0 run over the final two minutes to take a 41-29 lead into the halftime break. After the first 20 minutes of action, Johnson led the way with 18 points.
After building a 45-28 advantage with 8:13 remaining in the third, Alabama made six straight field goals to extend its lead to 58-32 with 3:49 left to play in the period. Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter and the Crimson Tide led 65-40 entering the fourth.
In the final quarter, Alabama grabbed its largest lead of the game at 69-42 with 6:49 to play in the contest. The Crimson Tide maintained their comfortable position on the scoreboard throughout the remainder of the period and coasted to the 76-56 win.
The Crimson Tide's defense smothered the Tigers, as Alabama held Clemson to just 33 percent (23-of-69) shooting, while UA shot an efficient 49 percent (27-of-55) from the field. The Tide was on fire from beyond the arc, connecting on 53 percent (10-of-19) of its three-point attempts and holding CU to just 13 percent (1-of-8) from three. Alabama also shared the ball effectively, with 19 of its 27 made field goals coming off of an assist.
The Tide will return to action on Friday, Nov. 23 when it takes on Grambling State. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT inside Coleman Coliseum and will be broadcast on SEC Network +.
For all the latest information on the team, follow AlabamaWBB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
