TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- No.19 Alabama women's basketball faced off against the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks on Thursday at Coleman Coliseum. The contest was tightly contested throughout, but the Gamecocks secured a 76-58 victory, capitalizing on turnovers and drawing fouls to convert free throws in the final quarter.

"I have to credit Coach Boyer, our associate head coach. We have been simulating game situations anytime we scrimmage. Anytime we do possessions, if we get fouled, we always shoot the free throw. We always shoot two free throws just to get us in game mode. Then, after practice, no matter the time constraints, our players have to make about 30 at the end of practice. It's helped us tremendously. We're probably shooting the highest percentage of free throws in my tenure," said Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley when asked how her team prepares for free throw situations.

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First Quarter:

The opening quarter featured a jump ball between Essence Cody and Chloe Kitts, with Cody winning it for the Crimson Tide. Alabama's Aaliyah Nye scored the first points of the game, but the Gamecocks quickly attempted to respond. Cody blocked an initial shot, and the Crimson Tide forced a turnover shortly after.

At 8:06, the Gamecocks finally got on the scoreboard and quickly took a 10-2 lead by the first media timeout. The Crimson Tide began to get back in it, scoring a two-pointer followed by Nye hitting her first 3-pointer. The Gamecocks answered with a three of their own, keeping them ahead 17-10.

With just over a minute remaining, Tessa Johnson for the Gamecocks sprinted down the court looking to score, but Nye managed to chase her down and prevent the basket. In the final moments, Cody scored her first points, bringing the score to 21-12 at the end of the first quarter.

South Carolina's Stats: FG% 8-17 (47.1%), 3PT% 1-4 (25.0%), FT% 4-4 (100%)

Alabama's Stats: FG% 5-18 (27.8%), 3PT% 2-9 (22.2%), FT% 0-0 (0%)

Second Quarter: 

Both teams remained scoreless until 8:34 when Kitts scored two for the Gamecocks. Moments later, Zaay Green responded with her first points of the night, bringing the score to 23-14. MaLaysia Fulwiley added two more for the Gamecocks, extending their lead to 25-14. Cody then sank a pair of free throws, narrowing the gap to 25-16. With about  5:41  left, the Crimson Tide managed to bring the score to 27-23. Each team exchanged baskets in the final minutes, but the Crimson Tide relied more on free throws and rebounds finishing the first half trailing by eight (38-30).

South Carolina's Stats: FG% 7-19 (36.8%), 3PT% 0-6 (0%), FT% 3-4 (75%)

Alabama's Stats: FG% 6-14 (42.9% ), 3PT% 0-1 (0%) , FT% 6-8 (75%)

 

Third Quarter:

Kitts opened the scoring for the Gamecocks, moments later, Sania Feagin added two more, pushing the score to 42-30 with under eight minutes to play. Weathers hit a 3-pointer, but the Gamecocks quickly responded, making it 45-33 at 7:41. The Crimson Tide began to chip away at the lead with two points from Cody, bringing the score to 45-35. Green executed a clever play, using her footwork to score and make it 47-38 with under five minutes left in the third. Cody continued to play aggressively, scoring two more points (47-40). Fulwiley then made it 49-40 with a pair of free throws at 2:20. Weathers missed a 3-pointer, but Diana Collins grabbed the rebound and quickly scored, followed by Weathers converting a turnover into two more points, making it 49-44 with under two minutes to go.

Each team traded a few more baskets before entering the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide trailed 54-48.

South Carolina's Stats: FG% 6-14 (42.9%), 3PT% 2-7 (28.6%), FT% 2-2 (100%)

Alabama's Stats: FG% 7-19 (36.8%), 3PT% 1-6 (16.7%), FT% 3-4 (75%)

Fourth Quarter:

The Gamecocks added to their lead to open the fourth. Minutes later, Green hit a 3-pointer, narrowing the score to 56-51. Bree Hall answered for the Gamecocks with two free throws, extending the lead to 58-51, but Green quickly countered with another pair, making it 58-53. The Gamecocks increased their advantage with a combination of free throws and two-pointers, bringing the score to 62-55. A series of turnovers and free throws allowed the Gamecocks to maintain their lead, and after Green fouled out, the game concluded with a final score of 76-58.

South Carolina's Stats: FG% 6-11 (54.5%), 3PT% 0-3 (0%), FT% 10-11 (90.5%)

Alabama's Stats: FG% 4-17 (23.5%), 3PT% 1-6 (16.7%), FT% 1-4 (25%)

“We just got beat by a very good South Carolina team tonight. I think they do a good job of making you pay for mistakes. We did a good job of taking care of the basketball, with nine turnovers and nine assists, but I thought we had some errors as far as our execution. I thought they got to the free throw line late and converted, so credit them. I thought our kids competed and battled. The perspective on this is that they all count the same, and our response is always what we talk about - the good, bad, happy and sad. I know that our response will be with toughness and grit on the road at Arkansas,” said Kristy Curry.

GAME NOTES

  • With three steals, Karly Weathers surpassed 100 career steals. Weathers currently averages 1.7 steals per game through 19 games this season.
  • Green’s 15-point performance marks her 17th game of the season scoring in double figures.
  • Essence Cody (15 points) and Aaliyah Nye (12 points) recorded their 11th and 16th game, respectively in double-figure scoring
  • The Gamecocks' 15 percent from three-point range marks the team's lowest percentage from deep on the season

The Crimson Tide are back on the road this Sunday to take on Arkansas. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. CT, streaming on SEC Network

Alabama Survives South Carolina

Gallery Credit: Wyatt Fulton

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