NICEVILLE, FLA. — No. 23 ranked Alabama used a stifling pressure defense to roll to its seventh straight victory with an 83-33 verdict past Alabama State in the opening round of the Bay Bracket at the Emerald Coast Classic women’s basketball tournament Monday.
The Crimson Tide (7-0) will face Clemson (4-1) in the championship of the Bay Bracket at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Alabama scored the game’s first eight points en route to enjoying a 26-8 first-quarter cushion and never looked back.
Alabama forced Alabama State into 28 turnovers, scoring 40 points off those miscues. Alabama also limited the Hornets to just 27.5 percent shooting from the floor (14-51).
Aaliyah Nye, a second-team All-SEC performer last year, led Alabama with 15 points along with three steals.
Karly Weathers and Sara Ashlee Barker each scored 12 points, while guard Zaay Green chipped in with 11 points four assists and two steals. Barker, a preseason first team All-SEC selection played just 23 minutes 56 seconds, making four of five shots from the floor.
“I just thought we had a great balance with four in double figures,” said Alabama coach Kristy Curry. “Any time we can share the ball like that, good things can happen. I think tomorrow will really be a test for us. It’s going to be two good shooting teams and I think defensive stops, doing a better job than we probably have on the boards is going to be really important. It should be a fun game to watch.”
Weather drilled a season-high four three-point baskets. She
had entered the game, going 0-12 from three-point range in her previous three contests.
The Crimson Tide shot 51 percent (26-51) from the floor.
Reserve JeAnna Cunningham grabbed a career-high nine rebounds for Alabama which outrebounded Alabama State, 43-26.
Forward Cordasia Harris paced Alabama State with eight points and a team-high five rebounds. The Hornets, who fell to 2-3, will play UAB Tuesday.
