Alabama
8-3,0-0SEC
Bethune-Cookman
6-3,0-0MEAC
Alabama Battles Past Bethune-Cookman, 60-49
12/17/2019 3:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Redshirt junior Jordan Lewis led the Crimson Tide with 17 points in UA’s third-straight win
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Redshirt junior Jordan Lewis scored 13 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter to help Alabama pull away from Bethune-Cookman, 60-49, in the annual 5th Grade Fastbreak Game inside Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday afternoon. The Crimson Tide (8-3) won its third-straight game, while the Wildcats (6-3) dropped their second consecutive contest.
Lewis had a game-high 17 points to go along with five rebounds, four steals and four assists, while sophomore De'Sha Benjamin recorded her second double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Senior Ashley Knight added eight points and blocked a season-high five shots, while coming down with seven rebounds.
From Coach Curry
- "I thought it (the crowd) was chaotic and I thought at times we were chaotic," stated head coach Kristy Curry. "I'm just so thankful for all of these 5th Graders who came out. I thought our kids showed a lot of toughness down the stretch and a lot of character, and I hope they'll take that away from today. I'm proud of how our kids finished the game - coming off of a Carolina win, having one day to prepare, and knowing we don't have Ariyah,(Copeland) and knowing we don't have Shelby (Gibson). I just thought our kids found a way to win."
- "It wasn't pretty at times, but our point guard took over. She (Jordan Lewis) made some big baskets. I got on her at halftime because I didn't like her first half and boy did she take over in the second and make big plays. Jordan showed a lot of character and I think that I can just appreciate her because her and De'Sha (Benjamin) really carried us today in the second half."
Quarter-By-Quarter
- The first quarter got off to a slow start, with Alabama taking the 12-11 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play.
- UA built on its lead in the second quarter and took the 29-20 advantage into the half. After the first 20 minutes, Knight led the way with eight points and four rebounds.
- The Tide began the third quarter with a mini 4-0 run to go up 13 after sophomore Megan Abrams' layup. The Wildcats responded and trimmed the lead down to 37-33 with just over two minutes to go in the period, before Alabama extended it back up to seven points heading into the fourth.
- BCU started the fourth quarter by cutting the Tide's lead to 44-40 with 4:45 remaining in the game. Lewis answered by scoring nine consecutive points to bolster the lead to 53-40 with 2:04 on the clock. The Alabama defense kept the Wildcats at bay in the final two minutes to win, 60-49.
7-straight points by @jorashlew!! ????
— Alabama Women's Basketball (@AlabamaWBB) December 17, 2019
Q4 - 2:04 | ?? 51 BCU 40#RollTide #GritAndGratitude ???? pic.twitter.com/bSVUHkXe8B
Player Spotlight
- Benjamin grabbed a game-high and season-high eleven rebounds off the bench, on her way to her second double-double of her career. The Augusta, Ga., native also set new career highs in free throws made with nine and attempts with 12.
- Lewis was excellent at the free-throw line, making 9-of-10 (90 percent). She was clutch down the stretch as she scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter for Alabama.
- Knight played a career-high 28 minutes and had the best plus/minus of any player with a +16. Alabama's all-time block leader added to her total with five swats, bringing her career total to 193.
2nd double-double of the season for De'Sha!! ??
— Alabama Women's Basketball (@AlabamaWBB) December 17, 2019
?? 15 points
?? 9-of-12 from the FT line
?? 11 rebounds#RollTide #GritAndGratitude ???? pic.twitter.com/RHGpdCHU0P
Stats of the Game
- The Tide took advantage at the free throw line, shooting 72 percent (21-of-29) from the stripe.
- UA led for almost the entire game, only trailing for 2:01 for its third-straight home win.
Up Next
- Alabama will play its last game before the holiday break on Friday, Dec. 20, for $1 night against Radford at 7 p.m. CT inside Coleman Coliseum. The game 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.
