Coming off a tough loss to the Utah Utes, the Crimson Tide women’s basketball team looked to get their record back above .500 as they took to the hardwood in Dallas, Texas Thursday night facing off against the Mustangs of Southern Methodist University.
This matchup was the final of two western games Alabama played on their road trip before returning home this coming Monday.
The Tide got off to an extremely sluggish start offensively, scoring only 9 points in the 1st quarter of play, although they did lead the game 4-0 to start. SMU had trouble scoring as well only racking 13 points of their own, but enough to lead by 4 heading into the second period.
The offense was off and running in the second quarter although, leading by as many as 11 points at 28-17. A late 1st half run by the Mustangs brought the lead back within 4 points at the final buzzer 28-24 shifting the momentum as well.
After the break Alabama ceased that momentum and picked up a great deal of their own taking their biggest lead of the game near the end of the quarter 46-34. The defense would slide a bit in the final minute of the quarter allowing SMU to cut the lead back to 7, 47-40 as they headed to the 4th period.
In a dramatic 4th quarter, the Crimson Tide would never surrender the lead but would see it tied 3 times, before the Mustangs eventually tied it up at 55-55. 40 minutes would not be enough to determine the victor in this one, as neither team would score in the final minute and 36 seconds of the period forcing overtime.
In OT, SMU would take an early 3 point lead, but Alabama would answer and go up by as many as 4. In the final seconds the Mustangs would have a chance to tie the game down 62-60 sending guard Kayla White to the free throw line to shoot 2. She went on to make the 1st free throw, but couldn’t handle the pressure watching her final free throw rim out, and her teams chances of winning the ball game as well. Alabama sneaks out of Dallas with the victory 62-61 getting their record to 3-1.
The team will return home to face off against Clemson University Monday night, in their 1st of 3 straight home games before they head back out west at the end of the month.
Player of the Game: Senior, guard Shaquera Wade; 8 points and 3 blocks.
(Photo courtesy of The Crimson White)
