Alabama
12-1
Florida A&M University
1-11
Alabama Women’s Basketball Shakes Off Rattlers, 81-46
12/28/2016 10:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Crimson Tide finishes non-conference schedule at 12-1, which is its best start since 2000-01
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's basketball team wrapped up the non-conference portion of its schedule with an 81-46 victory over Florida A&M on Wednesday night at Coleman Coliseum. With the win, the Crimson Tide stands at 12-1, its best mark before heading into Southeastern Conference play since 2000-01, while the loss dropped the Rattlers to 1-11.
"They (Florida A&M) are a high energy team," said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. "I thought our kids stayed the course."
Both junior Meoshonti Knight and sophomore Shaquera Wade finished with a team-high 16 points. They were joined in double figures by freshmen Ashley Knight and Jordan Lewis, who added 12 points and 11 points, respectively. Wade pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season, while Ashley Knight had another big game in the paint defensively with five blocks. Florida A&M was paced by junior Dawn King, who had 10 points.
Alabama led from the get-go following a layup from Wade at the 9:24 mark. The Tide held Florida A&M to a single three-pointer over seven minutes into the quarter, allowing Alabama to build a double-digit edge and lead 21-11 at the end of the first.
The Rattlers opened the second with five unanswered points, but the Tide responded with the next eight straight to push the lead back out to 13, 29-16. Alabama would lead by as many as 15 in the period and take a 35-23 advantage into the break at the half.
The Tide remained in front by double digits for the majority of the third and would end the quarter with a 20-point buffer, 56-36, following a three at the buzzer from Wade.
Alabama would go on to lead by as many as 36 in the game.
"We gave up 11 points the first five minutes of the third quarter, which we know we've got to improve on," added Curry. "From that point on, I think we took control there through the third quarter and stayed together, stayed positive and were able to get some critical stops and big baskets on offense. It was good to see our kids weather the storm. To end up going from up 10 at the half to the end result was pleasing to see with our balance."
For the game, Alabama shot 49.2 percent (29-59) while holding Florida A&M to 26.2 percent (17-65). The Tide outrebounded the Rattlers, 48-36, and outscored Florida A&M in the paint, 40-12.
Alabama opens Southeastern Conference play on Sunday at No. 6/6 South Carolina. Tip is slated for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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