By outreach@cw.ua.edu (Molly Catherine Walsh)
The Alabama women’s basketball team matched its win total from last year on Sunday night on the road against Ole Miss with a 65-57 victory. The win improves the Crimson Tide’s record to 15-5 overall and 3-4 in the Southeastern Conference, while the Rebels drop to 13-7 for the season and 2-5 in the league.
The win snaps a three-game losing streak for Alabama. The Crimson Tide started the game on an energetic note with an 8-4 run, which was ignited by back-to-back three-pointers from junior guard Hannah Cook.
Ole Miss answered the Tide with a three, but that didn’t stop Alabama from scoring the final two baskets of the period, including a buzzer beater from freshman guard Jordan Lewis that helped the Crimson Tide take a 17-9 lead over the Rebels. Lewis scored a career-high 22 points and recorded a game-best four assists.
“I really loved how our kids played today,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry in a press release. “We used our timeouts real wisely, and I thought our kids responded in each huddle. What can you say about Jordan Lewis today? My goodness gracious. Hannah’s [Cook] big baskets at critical times. Just a great effort from so many people today. Ashley Knight was huge. Just a great team win. Our bench was in it the whole time. This was a big road win for us.”
Juniors Hannah Cook and Meoshonti Knight lead the way for Alabama, contributing 17 points and 13 points, respectively. Freshman forward Ashley Knight had four blocks in the game which moved her season total to 52. Knight is now 16 blocks away from holding the record which is currently held by Yolanda Watkins (1993-94).
The Rebels were led by sophomore guard Mandinah Muhammed who accounted for 18 points, four rebounds and three steals.
“From the minute our kids saw that, I can’t even put into words what that meant,” added Curry. “Today, our Crimson Tide Center Court booster club was incredible the entire game and really gave us that sixth man. They (Ole Miss) had a great crowd here today too, but our group was just so loud and so proud. There was a lot of pride today from the court to the stands today. It was an incredible thing to see.”
The Crimson Tide will face the Vanderbilt Commodores on Thursday at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Source:: The Crimson White Sports
