Tide “Free Throws” Its Way To Second Win Over Houston 88-68!
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. However, inside Coleman Coliseum, it was raining free-throws. The Alabama Women's Basketball team (2-0) defeated the Houston Cougars (1-1) 88-68.
Alabama would face adversity within the first minute of the game as junior guard De'Sha Benjamin went towards the basket and landed badly on the court. She would be helped off the court by medical staff and would not return to the game. Alabama head coach Kristy Curry advised the media after the game that Benjamin will be evaluated Monday by team doctors and will give more information once it becomes available.
Alabama would end the 1st quarter shooting just 23 percent from field-goal range and 1 for 8 from 3-point range. Alabama dominated in the rebound category finishing the quarter with 13 rebounds. The Tide would improve in shooting in the second quarter and would finish 7 for 13 from field-goal range and a 37-31 lead going into halftime.
Alabama would never relinquish the lead again thanks in large part to two separate scoring runs with a 7-0 run and a 9-0 run. Similarly to game 1, Alabama junior guard Jasmine Walker would be the top scorer for the Crimson Tide with 25 points and an impressive 9 rebounds.
Senior guard Jordan Lewis would also contribute to the scoring with 20 points and shooting 100 percent from the free-throw line. Alabama as a whole team shot well from the free-throw line with an impressive 84.2 percent.
Coach Curry spoke to the media after the win and addressed the team's big win today over Houston
"I am really proud of our team," Curry said. "I liked the gritty attitude of our team today. We played against a team that is going to win a lot of games in their conference. Houston does a great job today, but this is a big win for us today and when we look back at the end of the season, it'll be a win we are proud of."
Jordan Lewis spoke to the media Sunday about her effort in the game defensively, as well as the team's mindset once Benjamin went down with injury.
"I think we know it is a team effort," Lewis said. "We don't know what is going to happen throughout the season, so we need to stay together and keep moving forward. That was the message we all have close to us. I think defensively we played well. I know it is something that my coaches got on to me about after the first game, so I wanted to come out and get after the ball and we did that well today."
Alabama will look to continue their winning ways on Wednesday in Tuscaloosa against the USC Upstate Spartans. Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. Don't forget to follow Tide 100.9 all throughout the season for updates on both women's and men's basketball!