TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Women’s basketball team rebounded after a tough road loss to Syracuse with a commanding 88-46 victory against Coastal Carolina.  

Wednesday marked the annual “fifth grade fast break game” and students from surrounding elementary schools filled the stadium. They were gifted with a masterful performance by the Crimson Tide to kick off the holiday season.  

“I think when you walk onto the floor and you just smile because there’s all these kids that are just laughing and dancing and singing along,” said guard Sarah Ashlee Barker. “It kind of makes you sit back and be like, you know, we were there one day.” 

Alabama’s defense played one of its best games of the season. The Crimson Tide won the turnover battle 26-9, the points off turnover margin 37-8, and outscored the Chanticleers in the paint 38-30. Alabama’s length and tenacity ruled this game as the Tide had 15 steals and 10 blocks. Coastal Carolina was held to just 33.3% from the field and made only one three pointer.  

“I thought we did a better job today keeping the ball in front,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. “We were able to go to our full court defense there in the third and just a lot of good things defensively.”  

In the first quarter, Alabama held Coastal Carolina to 4/13 from the field and forced seven turnovers. Center Essence Cody had two of her five blocked shots early and the whole defense crashed the paint well on drives.  

In the second quarter, Coastal Carolina turned the ball over nine more times and three Alabama players blocked shots including guard Karly Weathers who also had three steals.  

“I thought Karly came in in the first and rebounded well,” said Curry. “We just have to collectively understand we want to be plus 10 on the boards.” 

Leading 6-4 with 7:08 remaining in the first quarter, Alabama went on an 8-0 run. Guard Aaliyah Nye scored seven of the eight points getting to the basket multiple times finishing at the rim while also netting a three pointer.  Alabama finished with eight points in the paint and nine points off turnovers in the first quarter jumping out to a 20-10 lead.  

Guard Del’Janae Williams entered the game in the second quarter and provided an energy boost for the offense. She knocked down two corner three pointers and at the end of the second quarter she drove to the basket and laid the ball in the hoop at the buzzer to give Alabama a 41-20 halftime lead.  

“I think it’s not so much with the points but also what she does on the defensive end with the presence on the ball,” said Curry. “She just does so many things for us.” 

Alabama maintained control in the third quarter with their ability to attack the paint and draw fouls. Of their 28 points in the quarter, 17 came in the paint or charity stripe. Guard Loyal McQueen drove hard to the basketball multiple times finishing or drawing contact while also dishing the ball inside to Cody who finished with six points in the quarter shooting 2/3 from the field and 2/2 from the free throw line.  

“I just put a lot of emphasis on putting pressure on the defense and just trying to finish when I get there,” said guard Loyal McQueen. 

Barker finished with a team high 17 points shooting 7/12 from the field while also adding five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Nye knocked down four three pointers on the day, ending the game with 16 points. Cody, McQueen, Williams, and guard Jessica Timmons all scored double digits.  

“I knew today that I needed to bring it just trying to be consistent with it,” said Barker “I just have coaches that believed in me and pushed me to come you know, be better every single day.”  

“I felt like today we responded well, we took the criticism coaches had after that loss to Syracuse and we responded,” said Barker. “When you respond the positive way that’s how you become a great team.” 

Alabama will attempt to build some momentum with five non-conference home games at home before SEC play begins in January. The Crimson Tide will welcome Stephen F. Austin to Coleman Coliseum this Saturday December 9, at 2 p.m. CT.

 

Nazario Pangallo is a contributor for WVUA-FM Sports. You can follow him on X @Pan9774Nazario.