Alabama Women’s Basketball Shuts Down ULM

Alabama women's basketball team secured the first 10-0 start to a season in program history on Sunday. The Crimson Tide triumphed with a decisive 75-38 win, achieved despite the absence of starting player Essence Cody.

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The Crimson Tide started strong, with an early 3-pointer from Karly Weathers that ignited an 8-0 run. Marcavia Shavers of the ULM Warhawks narrowed the gap slightly with a basket, making it 8-2. Although ULM attempted to challenge Alabama by attacking in the paint, the Crimson Tide maintained their lead. They effectively countered by finishing the first quarter with a 4-for-8 performance from beyond the arc. Starters Weathers, with six points, and Jessica Timmons, with eight, were on track to reach double digits, helping the Crimson Tide cruise into the second quarter with a 20-10 lead.

The second quarter featured aggressive play from Naomi Jones, who scored the quarter's first two points and then drew a foul, adding another point from the free-throw line to extend Alabama’s lead to 23-10. It was a quarter of widespread participation, with six of the ten active players scoring by the 4:15 mark, pushing Alabama to a 31-17 advantage. Following a media timeout, Waiata Jennings intercepted a Warhawks' pass with an impressive catch, reminiscent of a wide receiver. This turnover led to Eris Lester scoring her first points of the night with a layup, increasing the Crimson Tide's lead to 35-17. With 1:24 left and Alabama nearing a 40-17 lead, the Warhawks called a timeout. Despite reducing the deficit to 39-19 after the timeout and drawing an offensive foul on Lourdes Da Silva Costa to regain possession, the Crimson Tide's defense forced two turnovers, fueling their momentum as they entered halftime with a commanding 43-19 lead.

Jones led the Crimson Tide with 11 points, followed by Weathers and Timmons, each with eight points. Alabama outscored ULM 28-14 in the paint during the first half. Additionally, Alabama scored six fast-break points compared to ULM’s zero, capitalized on turnovers with 17 points to the Warhawks' two, and won the second-chance points battle 6-3.

ULM started the third quarter with possession but quickly turned the ball over, leading to a field goal from Timmons, who then reached double digits. By the 8:10 mark, Alabama’s lead was steadily growing, standing at 45-22. Despite the loud crowd, Ta’Mia Scott beat the buzzer with a field goal, advancing Alabama to 50-22 with 7:18 remaining in the quarter. The Crimson Tide concluded the third quarter by adding 16 points to their lead, with Timmons leading the team with 17 points. Alabama’s defense held the Warhawks to just nine points in the third quarter (59-28).

With a comfortable 70-33 lead, Alabama introduced the rest of their bench (Reychel Douglas, Leah Brooks, and Tianna Chambers) with about four and a half minutes left in the game. At the 1:12 mark, Brooks added a field goal (72-36), and the Crimson Tide cruised to a 75-38 victory.

This win marked Alabama’s second of the week, following their victory against Clemson during the SEC-ACC challenge on Thursday.

The Crimson Tide will return to Coleman Coliseum on December 14th to face Jackson State.

Alabama Stat Leaders

Points: Jessica Timmons - 17 points

Steals: Waiata Jennings - 4 steals

Rebounds: Naomi Jones - 7 rebounds

Alabama Players with Double-Digit Points

Ta'Mia Scott - 11 points

Naomi Jones - 11 points

Karly Weathers - 11 points

Jessica Timmons - 17 points