Alabama
0-0,0-0SEC
Columbus State
0-0,0-0Peach Belt
Women’s Basketball Defeats Columbus State, 95-62, in Exhibition
10/30/2024 10:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide had five players in double figures on Wednesday night
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's basketball team concluded its lone exhibition game on Wednesday, defeating Columbus State, 95-62, inside Coleman Coliseum.
Sarah Ashlee Barker led the Crimson Tide with a total 20 points, closely followed by Diana Collins with 16. Three other Alabama players scored in double figures, including Zaay Green (13), Eris Lester (12) and Karly Weathers (11). Collins (2), Lester (2) and Weathers (3) combined for 70 percent Tide's 10 three-pointers.
Barker also led the team in rebounds with nine, while Christabel Ezumah pulled down seven. Alabama stole the ball 14 times as both Aaliyah Nye and Weathers collected four apiece on the night.
Columbus State had three players post double-figures as Kristyn Goshay led the Cougars with 14 points.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Postgame Comments
"There was a purpose and a reason why we scheduled Columbus State. They won their league, I knew they'd be preseason ranked, they returned the majority of their players from a year ago and I knew that they would create some chaos defensively to show us some different looks. Matt (Houser) does a great job. They're well coached, and they do a good job, so it was great for us.
"A lot of positives, a lot of teaching, just learning the home gameday and postgame routines. We're just teaching a little bit of everything right now. I thought our exhibition was a really good experience for us. I loved how we finished the game. It's always a game of runs. A lot of little things we can take away from tonight."
Game Stats
- Tonight's matchup marked the first meeting between Alabama and Columbus State
- The Crimson Tide secured the lead after five lead changes in the opening half
- Alabama finished with five players in double figures with Barker leading the way with 20 points, including nine rebounds, followed by Collins (16), Green (13), Lester (12) and Weathers (11)
- The Tide shot 49.3 percent (37-75) from the field and connected on 10 three-pointers
- UA shot 57 percent in the paint, compared to CSU shooting just 18 percent
- Alabama stole the ball 14 times from Columbus State, with Nye and Weathers collecting four steals each
- The Tide dished out 18 total assists, with Green leading the way with five
- UA shot 52.5 percent (21-40) percent from the field during the second half, compared to only shooting 45.7 (16-35) in the first 20 minutes of the game
How It Happened
- Sarah Ashlee Barker got everything started as the veteran guard scored Alabama's first seven points of the matchup. However, an 11-0 run by Columbus State put Cougars ahead at the end of the first quarter
- Following a back-and-forth second quarter featuring four lead changes, Alabama was able to pull away and claim a six-point lead going into the half
- Barker (14) and Zaay Green (11) combined for 25 of Alabama's 42 first half points
- After both squads traded baskets throughout the first four minutes of the third quarter, the Crimson Tide found its offensive groove and went on a 13-3 run to bring its lead to double digits (62-48)
- UA picked up its defensive intensity in the third quarter, tallying six turnovers and forcing the Cougars to shoot 5-for-15 from the field
- Throughout the closing minutes of the third quarter, the UA bench thrived as it put up 15 points to propel Alabama's lead to an 18-point margin (71-53)
- The Tide's offense continued to pile on during the final quarter as it put up 24 points compared to the Cougars' nine, growing the Alabama lead to a 33-margin at the final whistle
Up Next
- Alabama will begin the 2024-25 regular season in Coleman Coliseum on Nov. 4 against New Orleans
- The Crimson Tide will tip-off against the Privateers at 5 p.m. CT, as part of the a doubleheader with Alabama men's basketball
