Women’s Basketball Defeats Auburn 61-51

Junior Shafontaye Myers recorded a career high of 23 points, 21 points coming from three-point range, to lead the Crimson Tide to a 61-51 victory over Auburn on Thursday night in Foster Auditorium. With the win, Alabama improves to 12-7 overall and 2-4 in Southeastern Conference action while the loss drops the Tigers to 13-7 on the season and 2-5 in league play.

“Shafontaye was a huge factor for us tonight, but she’s also the one that her teammates are looking for,” said Alabama head coach Wendell Hudson. “They are making that extra pass and giving up shots to get it to her because that three-point shot, especially when she is hot regardless of how much defense you play, if you get that shot then that is kind of like a defensive stopper for the opponent.”

Joining Myers in doubles figures was junior Jasmine Robinson, scoring 13 points. Senior Alicia Mitcham contributed a game-high 12 rebounds followed by senior Meghan Perkins, who finished with nine rebounds and 11 points. Auburn sophomore Hasina Muhammad led the Tigers with 13 points followed by junior Peyton Davis with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Auburn led by as many as five in the first half, but lost its edge after a three-pointer from Myers put the Tide in front, 20-18, with 4:16 remaining in the half. Myers and sophomore Daisha Simmons would connect on three-pointers on each of Alabama’s next two possessions to give the Tide an eight-point advantage, which eventually rose to 10 at the half.

The Tigers began the second outscoring the Tide, 11-2, but soon lost its momentum as Alabama used a 15-6 run midway through the half to jump back on top by 10. The Tide would lead by as many as 19 and did not allow Auburn to get any closer than 10 for the duration of the contest.

For the game, Alabama shot 29.7 percent (19-64) while the Tigers were 30.6 percent (19-62) from the floor. The biggest difference was in three-point field goals as the Tide hit nine while Auburn went scoreless from long range. Alabama led in rebounds, 51-48, and forced 20 Tiger turnovers.

“Playing in this league, every game is a fight,” added Hudson. “The Auburn-Alabama rivalry is an exciting rivalry. It was played the way it should be, and the players played with the passion they need to play with.”

Alabama returns to the court Sunday, Jan. 27, to take on Vanderbilt in the Tide’s annual Power of Pink game.