Alabama
10-5,0-2SEC
South Carolina
14-1,2-0SEC
Alabama Falls to No. 4/5 South Carolina, 93-78
1/5/2020 8:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Redshirt junior Jordan Lewis scored 21 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists in the loss
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's basketball fell to No. 4/5 South Carolina on Sunday evening inside Coleman Coliseum, 93-78. The 78 points by the Tide were the most by an Alabama team against South Carolina since Feb. 25, 1999 and the most the Gamecocks have allowed in the 2019-20 season.
With the loss, the Crimson Tide (10-5, 0-2 SEC) dropped its second game in a row, while the Gamecocks (14-1, 2-0 SEC) won their eighth consecutive game.
Redshirt junior Jordan Lewis led the Tide in scoring with her 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Junior Jasmine Walker added 13 points, while sophomore De'Sha Benjamin scored 12, going a perfect 6-6 from the line. Senior Cierra Johnson and sophomore Megan Abrams each chipped in 10 points respectively.
From Coach Curry
- "I just think you have to credit a really good South Carolina team, they got off to a good start and we really dug our self a hole," said head coach Kristy Curry. "If you look at the second half, we were able to outscore them 26-22 in the third and a four-point game in the fourth, so I think it's tied the second half, but we just dug our self a hole. I loved the way our kids battled. I thought we cut it to eight and they are just really good. This team has a chance to do some really special things and I think that we have to keep that in sight."
Quarter-By-Quarter
- South Carolina opened up the scoring, going on a 10-0 run in the first three minutes of the game. Alabama cut it to three points after Benjamin's two free throws at the 4:36 mark, but USC ended the first quarter up 19-9.
- The Gamecocks outscored the Tide 23-18 in the second quarter to take a 42-27 advantage headed into the half.
- Alabama trailed 51-31 in the third, before the Tide caught fire and outscored the Gamecocks 22-13 over the final 7:20 in the frame and trailed 64-53 at the end of the period.
- The Tide fourth with a three from Walker to bring the score within eight points. South Carolina responded by pushing its lead back to 13 with 6:25 remaining in the game. The Gamecocks extended their lead down the stretch to get the 93-78 victory.
Player Spotlight
- Lewis scored 15 of her 21 points in the second half on her way to her fourth 20-plus point game this season. She shot an efficient 7-of-14 from the floor in the loss.
- Benjamin scored in double figures for the fourth time over the last six games. During that six-game span she is averaging 10.8 points off the bench.
Key Stats
- The Tide shot 50 percent (8-of-16) from the three-point line, while shooting an impressive 17-of-31 (54.8 percent) from the floor in the second half.
- South Carolina outscored the Tide 38-32 in the paint, while UA edged USC in points off of turnovers 20-19.
Up Next
- Alabama looks to bounce back against No.13/13 Kentucky on Thursday, Jan. 9 inside Coleman Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
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