Alabama women’s basketball coach Kristy Curry said on Friday that this year’s team needed to play with the lights on, uniforms tucked in and against another opponent. She got her wish on Sunday as the Crimson Tide pummeled the Faulkner Lady Eagles.
The game was never close. By the end of the first quarter, Alabama had built a 19-point lead and added on to it every quarter, eventually winning 100-44.
“I thought we had a little bit of nerves in some spots,” Curry said. “Even from our first group that has some experience to our freshmen, these experiences are just invaluable.”
Curry’s lineup was extremely efficient. As a team, it shot 52 percent, dished out 19 assists and forced 26 turnovers.
Freshman Allie Craig Cruce and junior Cierra Johnson each finished with 15 points, which led all scorers, in their first game in an Alabama uniform.
“There were a lot of nerves in the beginning, but when the tip goes up, you just need to realize that it’s basketball at the end of the day,” Cruce said. “You got to just go out there and play your heart out and do what you’re supposed to do.”
Johnson had the most even day as she added three steals, six assists and six rebounds to her scoring stat line.
The Crimson Tide out-rebounded the Lady Eagles 49-30 and outscored them 58-16 inside the arc. Junior forward Jasmine Walker said the key to controlling the inside was that the team was able to play fast, score efficiently and find the open player.
Alabama had seven players make their debut. The group scored 58 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists.
“It’s going to be something that’s really important to our team this year,” Curry said. “When you lose that senior class and 59 percent of your scoring, we’re going to have to have somebody else’s turn. What I like is the depth of this team and the balance. I thought we brought good energy off the bench.”
Alabama is back in action on Nov. 1 when it plays its last exhibition game against Mississippi College.
