By outreach@cw.ua.edu (Cody Estremera)
As Meo Knight tipped the ball away from New Orleans’ Ariele Davis, Shaquera Wade started to sprint down court. Meo Knight, as she started falling out of bounds, controlled the ball and fired it down court to Wade for an easy layup.
This started off a 13-2 run for the Crimson Tide early in the third quarter to put the team up 22. New Orleans could not recover from the run and the defense that Alabama pressured it with all night. Alabama forced 22 turnovers and accumulated 13 steals.
Grit and effort are the two ways Alabama wants to be described as this year. Wade said the team’s goal is to be the grittiest team in the SEC. Both of those adjectives are how head coach Kristy Curry likes to run the defense.
“Besides the little uncharacteristic I thought we did a good job,” head coach Kristy Curry said. “We want to be a team when we look back at film we created extra possessions, which starts on the defensive end. We want to be a team that can change our defenses and create opportunities to score.”
Alabama was able to convert the Privateers’ turnovers into points. It was able to score 25 of its 78 points off turnovers, including 18 fast break points.
The Crimson Tide was able to continue its opening night winning streak to seven after the 78-57 win. Meo Knight led the team in scoring with 18 points and five steals. Wade added 16 points and two steals.
Jordan Lewis started and was able to put up 11 points, four assists and four steals in her 32 minutes. Ashley Williams led the bench in scoring with 12 points. She also put up seven total rebounds, including three offensive boards and a block in her 25 minutes.
“I think those two have really helped our team in making practices more competitive,” Curry said. “They add more depth. Our returners now have subs that they didn’t have last year. Ashley Knight was outstanding tonight. Jordan [Lewis] made some good decisions tonight and she’s really a presence for us in the open floor.”
Randi Brown led the Privateers in scoring, with 26. Brown and Meo Knight were high school teammates. Meo Knight said it is always exciting to play against someone that you played with in high school.
Alabama plays Mississippi Valley State next on Monday at 7 p.m.
Source:: The Crimson White Sports
