Alabama women's basketball starts strong but can't keep up with No.1 South Carolina
Alabama women’s basketball fell to South Carolina 65-52, their second game in a week where the offense sputtered close to season lows.
The Crimson Tide (16-6, 5-4 SEC) was able to keep it close in the first quarter, only trailing 17-15 after one. Alabama struggled in the second quarter, going 3 of 15 from the field, but only trailed by seven at the half. The No. 1 Gamecocks (21-0, 9-0) were able to pull away in the second half, but Alabama never let it get too far out of hand.
The Crimson Tide was led by Brittany Davis with 13 points and eight rebounds, and Sarah Ashlee Barker with 15. points.
Strong first quarter
Alabama found itself down only two after the first quarter. The Crimson Tide shot 42.9% from the field while holding the Gamecocks to 33.3% from the field. Alabama won the rebound battle 12-10 and only turned the ball over twice. Alabama won the battle of the paint 8-4 as well.
MINGO-YOUNG:Alabama women's basketball guard JaMya Mingo-Young medically disqualified for rest of season
AALIYAH NYE:How Aaliyah Nye feels support from Native American tribe after transfer to Alabama women's basketball
Jada Rice impresses, limits fouls
Jada Rice finished with just six points but it was what she did elsewhere on the stat sheet that was impressive. She finished with eight rebounds and a block. She was matched up with Aliyah Boston, a national player of the year candidate, for most of the game. Boston did finish with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting but most of her shots had Rice in the way.
Rice, the team leader in fouls, had one foul through three quarters but finished with three.
"I just love who Jada is trying to be, I think it's incredible energy and effort and toughness." coach Kristy Curry said. "... I love Jada Rice and how hard she's coming out and not backing down from challenges. She just played against the best combo post in the country. Jada is really coming along for us and we're pleased with who she's trying to be every day, really proud of her."
Alabama struggles to knock down shots
Alabama shot 42.9% from the field in the first quarter, going 6 of 14 from the field. The rest of the way they went 12 of 38 from the field. It was reminiscent of the LSU game on Monday, where the Crimson Tide finished in season lows in points, field goal and 3-point percentage.
Both LSU and South Carolina are top-five nationally in scoring defenses, but with Missouri (60.4 points a game, No. 84 nationally) on the horizon, the Crimson Tide has a chance to rebound offensively.
Up next
Alabama travels to Missouri on Sunday (4 p.m. CT, SEC Network), the Crimson Tide fell to the Tigers, 66-65 earlier this season.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama women's basketball can't keep up with No.1 South Carolina
