Alabama
4-0,0-0SEC
Norfolk State
3-1,0-0MEAC
No. 22/22 Alabama Women’s Basketball Defeats Norfolk State, 68-58, Wednesday
11/13/2024 9:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide improve to 4-0 to open the 2024-25 season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 22/25 Alabama women's basketball team improved to 4-0 on the season after defeating Norfolk State (3-1), 68-58, Wednesday inside Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide tallied 12 blocks, including five from Essence Cody, on the path to victory.
Four Alabama players finished in double figures, including Sarah Ashlee Barker (19), Aaliyah Nye (15), Cody (14) and Zaay Green (12), who all earned back-to-back double-digit games. Barker picked up a team-leading five assists with two steals. Karly Weathers stole the ball twice with three assists.
The Crimson Tide's defense dominated the Spartan's, forcing 17 turnovers with 11 in just the second quarter alone. Both Cody and Barker combined for nine of the team's 12 blocked shots, while Weathers secured a career-high 11 rebounds.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Comments
"Having four in double figures and finding a way to beat a good team that had 27 wins a year ago and returned their top seven with several transfers on their (roster) is really good. Diamond Johnson [for Norfolk State] is as good of a guard that we'll see (this season). She makes a lot of things happen for them and then [Kierra] Wheeler, last year's player of the year in their league, really did a nice job. Those two are good and their teammates around them understand their roles. I think they were 103rd last year in pace of play, and what is they'll do, they'll do is slow you down, and they do a great job of that and are so well coached. Just happy our team found a way. Really good teams win ugly games, and I thought tonight was good for us, in the fact that we had to be faced with adversity, and it was our response. So proud of them for that."
Game Notes
- Alabama collected eight total blocks during the first half, including four second-quarter blocks from Cody
- The Crimson Tide held the Spartans to just eight points during the second quarter, the fewest points allowed by the Tide in a quarter since Dec. 31, 2023 (vs. Mississippi Valley State, 8)
- UA collected a team total 12 blocks, the most since Dec. 13, 2021
- The Tide's starting five, in Barker, Cody, Green, Nye and Weathers, scored 63 of the team's 68 total points
- After four lead changes, Alabama held the advantage for 38:53 minutes against NSU
- Barker blocked four shots to set a new career mark
- Cody tied her career high in blocks with five
- Weathers recorded 11 rebounds, setting a new career high in the category
- Alabama shot 40 percent (26-of-64) from the floor, 28 percent (8-of-28) from deep and 53 percent (8-of-18) from the line
- In comparison, Norfolk State shot 35 percent (22-of-62) from the field, 39 percent (9-of-23) from range and 71 percent (5-of-7) from the charity stripe
How it Happened
- After trading baskets for the first two minutes, a short-range bucket by Green sparked an 11-0 run to put the Crimson Tide ahead by double digits
- Barker shined on both sides of the ball early on, as she tallied six points and two blocks in the first period
- Alabama opened the second quarter by locking down the interior and swatting away five shots in the first five minutes of the frame
- From there, the offense was able to find its groove after a layup by Barker sparked a 17-6 run to close out the first half
- After forcing 14 turnovers from Norfolk State through the first two periods, the Crimson Tide entered the locker room at halftime holding a 37-20 lead over the Spartans
- Norfolk State was able to close the gap in the third quarter, outscoring Alabama 23-14 to make it a single-digit game
- Continuing to pile on, the Spartans scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to cut the Crimson Tide lead down to just one point
- After both teams went on scoring runs in the latter part of the quarter, Alabama held an eight-point lead with under a minute remaining before Nye buried a dagger three-pointer to seal the game
Up Next
- Alabama returns to Coleman Coliseum on Nov. 14 to host Alcorn State
- Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+
