Alabama
12-2,0-0SEC
Jacksonville
4-8,0-0ASUN
Offensive Onslaught Propels Alabama to its Ninth-Straight Win in Coleman Coliseum
12/20/2023 10:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide saw six players reach double figures as the team scored a season-high 99 points
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama women's basketball team defeated Jacksonville, 99-61, Wednesday night in Coleman Coliseum and picked up its fifth straight win before the holiday break. The Crimson Tide earned its 24th straight non-conference home win to improve to 12-2 on the year.
For the first time since 2015, six Alabama players scored in double figures including Jessica Timmons (22), Aaliyah Nye (15), Del'Janae "Burger" Williams (14), Essence Cody (12), JeAnna Cunningham (12) and Loyal McQueen (11).
Timmons and Cunningham both picked up career-highs in points, with Cunningham shooting perfect from the free throw line (10-10). Meg Newman, who made her debut start for Alabama, led the team with seven rebounds.
For Jacksonville, Edyn Battle scored a team-high 16 points.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Postgame Comments
"I'm very proud of our team. At this point before Christmas break, you just have to make sure that you're where your feet are in the focus and the intent. I liked our team today and appreciated their effort. We had six in double figures, 20 assists on 32 baskets, got to the free throw line - our post players were 14-of-15. So, a lot of positives and I'm proud of the overall team effort on a day when our leading scorer (Sarah Ashlee Barker) was out.
"We have a lot to build on and need to continue to work on taking care of the basketball and continuing to value those possessions. I loved our energy on the offensive glass and the fact that we were the aggressor. Overall, just a great team effort during the time of year that it's hard sometimes to not want to be home, but I loved who we were today."
Game Stats
- Alabama's 31 points in the first quarter were the most for the Crimson Tide in the opening frame this season
- The Crimson Tide set a season-high with 99 points. It is the fourth time this season that Alabama has exceeded 80 points and the most points scored since Nov. 9, 2021, when the Crimson Tide defeated Charleston Southern, 109-32
- JeAnna Cunningham set career-highs in points (10), free throws made (10) and free throws attempted (10)
- Cunningham became the ninth player in program history with a perfect performance at the free throw line (10-10)
- Karly Weathers surpassed 100 career rebounds (102) with her five-rebound performance
- UA made 29 trips to the charity stripe, connecting on 25 attempts – the most since making 31 against Alabama State in the season-opener
- For the second time this year, the Crimson Tide connected on a season-high 10 three-pointers
- Alabama outrebounded Jacksonville, 39-25, while picking up 15 steals and blocking six shots
How it Happened
- Meg Newman picked up her first start as a member of the Crimson Tide, the redshirt sophomore registered four points and seven rebounds
- Alabama's 53-point first half is the highest scored in the opening 20 minutes this season
- The Crimson Tide connected on 6-7 field goals midway through the first quarter to spark a 15-6 run over 3:28 to take a 19-13 lead at the first media timeout of the game
- Alabama closed the first quarter on a 14-2 run, including shooting 71 percent (5-of-7) from beyond the arc in the opening period
- After a Jacksonville 8-0 run, a quick basket by Jessica Timmons, followed by a string of stops on the defensive end, gave the Tide a comfortable cushion heading into halftime
- The Crimson Tide outrebounded the Dolphins 19-8 in the first 20 minutes, including 11 boards on the offensive end
- Alabama's bench accounted for 19 points in the first half, compared to Jacksonville's nine
- Alabama lit up the stat sheet from three in the first half, the Tide shot 58 percent (7-of-12) from beyond the arc
- Both offenses came out sluggish in the second half, only connecting on one combined field goal in the opening four minutes of the third quarter
- After an Alabama timeout early in the third, the Tide connected on four of its next five field goals to increase the lead to 66-40 heading into a media timeout
- The Tide outscored the Dolphins 22-10 in the third quarter, to take a 75-48 lead heading into the final period
- Alabama continued to extend the lead in the fourth, scoring 22 points to secure the win 99-61
Next Up
- Alabama returns to action on New Year's Eve to host Mississippi Valley State in the final non-conference bout of the season.
- The Crimson Tide will face the Devilettes at 2 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+
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.
-UA-
