DALLAS – As the Alabama women’s basketball team trailed 58-57 with 2:35 remaining in overtime, senior Shaquera Wade scored five straight points to help the Crimson Tide to a 62-61 win over SMU on Thursday night inside Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas.
With the victory, the Crimson Tide improves to 2-1, while the Mustangs drop to 2-1.
Junior Jasmine Walker led the Tide with her third consecutive double-double to begin the season after ending with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Nine different UA players scored in the game including sophomore Ariyah Copeland and freshman Allie Craig Cruce, who finished with nine points apiece.
The Crimson Tide started out slow and trailed 13-9 after the first 10 minutes of play. To begin the second quarter UA responded with a 9-0 run to take the 18-13 lead. Alabama continued to build its lead to as much as 11 points before holding the 28-24 advantage into the halftime break.
In the second half the Tide took its largest lead of the game at 46-34 after freshman De’Sha Benjamin knocked down two free throws with 3:09 left in the third frame. SMU cut the Crimson Tide lead to 47-40 at the end of the quarter.
The Mustangs clamped down defensively in the fourth quarter and held the Tide to eight points in the final 10 minutes. The two sides were tied on three separate occasions in the fourth. SMU had a chance to win the game when Mackenzie Ellis put up a shot that went in, but just after the buzzer sounded. The two teams were deadlocked at 55-55 heading into the extra period.
The Mustangs opened overtime with three quick points to go up 58-55, before Alabama answered with a 7-0 run, fueled by Wade. UA held the 62-58 edge with two minutes to go and the Tide stood tall, holding off the Mustangs, 62-61.
Alabama returns home for a three-game home stand with the first matchup coming against Clemson on Monday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. CT inside Coleman Coliseum. The game between the Tide and the Tigers will air live on SEC Network.
