Women?s Basketball Drops Junkanoo Jam Opener 52-43
11/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
GRAND BAHAMAS ?? The University of Alabama women’s basketball team dropped the Junkanoo Jam opener to Eastern Michigan by the score of 52-43 Friday afternoon from St. George High School. Freshman Tierney Jenkins paced the Tide with 16 points. After the day, UA moves to 0-4 while EMU stays unbeaten at 4-0.
“I think that we continue to do a sufficient enough job on defense,” head coach Stephany Smith said. “We are not taking advantage of the stops and need to do a better job offensively in between the free throw lines.”
Once again the Tide put together a solid defensive effort. Alabama held Eastern Michigan to under 10 buckets each half for a 39 percent shooting output.
EMU shot 17-for-44 from the floor and 3-for-11 from downtown. UA shot 30 percent (18-for-60) from the floor and 3-for-16 from three. The Eagles went to the free throw line 27 times, converting 15 for 56 percent clip. The Tide hit 4-of-10 from the charity stripe.
Alabama again put themselves in position to come back into the ball game. The Tide held the Eagles without a field goal for the last 6:25 of the contest. With that, UA pulled to within five with 4:39 left but could never get over the hump.
Jenkins led the Tide with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 20 minutes. Dedrea Magee and Varisia Raffington followed with five each. On the boards, Talisha Chandler led all players with 10 rebounds while Camilla Blands had eight. Chandler also added four steals.
“I thought Varisia was a bright spot for us today,” coach Smith said. “All players have to make a transition from high school and Varisia played with composure today, that was a huge positive.”
Alyssa Pittman was the high scorer for the Eagles with 19 on 5-of-11 shooting. Kelly Watts added 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting. Watts and Amber Land grabbed eight boards a piece.
Alabama raced out to an early lead after the first whistle as Jenkins scored four of the Tide’s first seven points. Camilla Blands then drilled a three to give UA a 7-4 lead. EMU then made a run and went into the intermission with a 27-18 lead.
Alabama will continue tournament play in the Junkanoo Jam in the consolation game. The Tide will face the Washington State Cougars on Saturday, November 24 at 1 p.m. from St. George High School.
