Alabama
4-0,0-0SEC
USF
3-1,0-0AAC
Alabama Dominates in 70-41 Victory Over South Florida
11/16/2023 8:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sarah Ashlee Barker scores a career-high 25 points leading the Tide to a 29-point win
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's basketball team defeated the South Florida Bulls 70-41 Thursday night in Coleman Coliseum. With the win, the Crimson Tide have now held each of its first four opponents under 50 points for the first time in program history.
Sarah Ashlee Barker led the charge with a career-high 25 points to go along with a game-best nine rebounds, while Aaliyah Nye (16) and Loyal McQueen (14) also reached double figures. The trio combined for 55 of the Tide's 70 points on a combined 22-of-36 shooting including going 6-of-14 from deep.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Postgame Comments
"Just really proud of the discipline defensively tonight. I thought we defended really well. Everybody that came in there was just no let down so I loved our bench energy, but, on the defensive end, just a great, disciplined effort from us tonight and to be able to finish and box out against a great rebounding team. Great win for us tonight. I love the way we did it. I thought [Sarah Ashlee Barker and Aaliyah Nye] set the tone from a leadership standpoint, along with [Loyal McQueen]. For [Sarah Ashlee Barker] to have a career night against someone of this caliber, I think, it really is a career night."
Game Stats
- The Tide shot 44 percent (28-64) from the field, 32 percent (7-22) from deep and 50 percent (7-14) from the charity stripe
- In comparison, the Bulls shot 24 percent (14-59) from the floor, 23 percent (5-22) from beyond-the-arc, and 67 percent (8-12) from the line
- UA led in virtually every statistical category, including a 38-12 advantage in points in the paint
- In addition to Barker's nine boards, Essence Cody and Jessica Timmons each contributed eight rebounds to help stake the Tide to a 48-37 advantage on the boards
- With her 16 points, Aaliyah Nye surpassed 800 career points over her collegiate career.
- Alabama has held its opponent under 17 first half points for the fourth consecutive game
- The Crimson Tide never trailed and led from start to finish
How It Happened
- Alabama opened the game outscoring USF 17-10 in the first quarter and followed that with a 16-6 edge in the second quarter to take a 33-16 lead into the locker room
- Sarah Ashlee Barker (19) and Aaliyah Nye (8) combined for 27 of the Tides' 33 first half points while knocking down a combined 11-of-15 shots from the field
- UA held the Bulls to just under 17 percent (5-30) from the field and eight percent (1-12) from the three in the first half
- Alabama went on a 16-to-4 run over the final seven minutes and 47 seconds to close out the half, taking a 17-point lead (33-16) into the break
- The Tide dominated the paint in the first half, taking a 22-6 advantage over the Bulls
- Loyal McQueen scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half
- UA's defense clamped down at the end of the last two quarters, holding USF without a field goal in the final 2:34 of the third and the final 4:38 of the fourth
Next Up
- Alabama returns to action Sunday, facing Little Rock at Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, Ark.
- The Crimson Tide will face the Trojans at 1 p.m. CT and will air on ESPN+
For all the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaWBB on X, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on X and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
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