Bama Women's Basketball Defeats Bethune-Cookman
12/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
 |
|
ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Alabama women's basketball team got its stretch of three road games in four days started on a positive note with an impressive 77-44 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Thursday night at the UCF Arena.
The Crimson Tide improved to 6-2 with the win while Bethune-Cookman slipped to 1-4 on the year. The game was the opening contest of the Central Florida Golden Knight Holiday Classic.
All 11 players in the Alabama lineup scored points in a solid offensive performance. For the game, Bama connected at a 45.5 percent clip from the field and hit at a season high 86.7 percent (13 of 15) from the free throw line.
"It was a very solid performance for us," said UA head coach Rick Moody. "It's always a good thing to get a win away from home. We were very aggressive on the offensive end. We could have scored much more because we missed a ton of layups. That's the only thing that disappoints me about tonight. We missed some easy opportunities to score, but then again it is nice to have those chances."
Sophomore center Dee Merriweather led the Tide with her second double-double of the year, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds in just 20 minutes of action. Freshman Navonda Moore continued her streak of double-figure scoring performances getting 13 points, including 11 in the second half. Junior Monique Bivins, who scored all of her 11 points in the opening frame, was the other Bama player with 10 or more points.
Both teams struggled offensively over the first five minutes of the game, but it was Alabama that finally got things rolling midway through the opening stanza. UA led by 10 points (16-6) nine minutes into the game and never looked back as Bama's defense forced the Lady Wildcats into a dismal 23.7 percent (9 of 38) shooting performance in the first half.
The Tide extended their 16 point (34-18) halftime lead to over 20 points with 11 minutes left in the contest. At that point, Moody used his entire bench to give players some needed rest in preparation of playing two more games in the next three days.
In addition to their strong play on the offensive end, Alabama was aided by a smothering defensive performance that included 15 steals and a 48-38 advantage in rebounding. UA's solid defensive effort also resulted in BCC not attempting any free throws for the game.
Latonya Reed was Bethune-Cookman's top performer recording 14 points and hauling down nine rebounds.
Alabama concludes its play at the UCF Holiday Classic on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. against the host Central Florida squad. Bethune-Cookman faces the University of Florida in the day's opening game at 3:30 p.m.
Alabama (6-2) 34-43—77
Bethune-Cookman (1-4) 18-26—44
