Alabama Women’s Basketball Pulls Out Victory Over Florida
The Alabama women’s basketball team grabbed the victory inside Coleman Coliseum on Thursday night.
The score stayed close throughout the game before Alabama pulled away from Florida, for the 69-62 victory.
The Crimson Tide outscored the Gators 16-5 during the final five minutes.
Junior Jordan Lewis led the tide with 16 points. Lewis also secured eight rebounds and six assists. Junior Jasmine Walker followed with 13 points and nine rebounds.
“I am just really proud of our kids for finding a way to win,” Crimson Tide coach Kristy Curry said. “Jordan Lewis was just amazing as far as having the ball in her hands. I mean to look at her numbers, to have eight rebounds, second on our team behind Jasmine Walker at nine, and six assists to five turnovers and just finding ways to score and have some poise and toughness, I think we really fed off of her down the stretch.
"I thought Ashley Knight and Amber Richardson came in and provided some defensive intensity for us and we were able to get a few stops. It’s just a credit our kids for finding a way to win.”
Alabama (15-11, 5-8 SEC) shot 49 percent (25-of-51) for the game.
Sophomore De’Sha Benjamin was the first to score for the Crimson Tide, draining a three-pointer. Lewis followed with a layup, increasing the score 5-0. Walker added two layups, increasing the margin 9-7. Florida responded with six points before Lewis snagged another three-pointer, reclaiming the lead 14-13. Alabama finished the first quarter with a two-point lead, 16-14.
Junior Ariyah Copeland got the second quarter started with a layup, increasing Alabama’s lead 18-14. Sophomore Megan Abrams and Lewis each followed with an additional two points, placing Alabama ahead 22-14. Florida answered with a 10-point run before Sophomore Brittany Davis interrupted with two points. Sophomore Hannah Barber finished the second quarter with a three-pointer. Alabama walked into halftime with the 35-33 lead.
Florida kicked things off during the third quarter before Benjamin answered with a layup, reclaiming the lead 37-36. Walker drained a three-pointer that pushed Alabama ahead 45-43 before Florida answered with four points. Senior Cierra Johnson ended the quarter with a free throw which put Alabama trailing Florida, 49-48.
Florida (14-12, 5-8 SEC) got the jump start in the fourth quarter when it posted five points. Copeland intervened with a layup, followed by a free throw by Benjamin and a two-pointer by Abrams, decreasing Florida’s lead to 54-53.
A free throw from Florida tied the score before Walker nailed two free throws were immediately followed by an additional two from senior Ashley Knight. Lewis and Benjamin both secured a layup which marked the end of Alabama’s eight-point run. Two free throws from Walker would closer the Crimson Tide's scoring.
Alabama competes at Mississippi State on Sunday. The Crimson Tide is set to play the Bulldogs at 1 p.m. CT.
