Alabama women’s basketball lost its first game but bounced back for a win to close out its two-game road trip. While the trip could have been frustrating, head coach Kristy Curry saw it as a positive for her young team.
Alabama lost its first game by 10 points to Utah. The Utes controlled the second half for the most part and pulled away in the fourth quarter.
“Definitely was a great experience for us early in the season to see where we’re at,” Curry said. “Give us a gauge on some stuff that we need to improve on.”
Two days later, the Crimson Tide pulled out a one-point win against SMU in Dallas. Of the team’s seven overtime points, five were scored by senior Shaquera Wade.
“(She) just made some huge points for us,” Curry said.
In her first full season at Alabama, junior Jasmine Walker has made a huge contribution for Curry’s group, leading the team in scoring (13.3) and rebounds (10.3) per game. She has finished with two double-doubles just three games into the season.
While Walker has arguably been the Crimson Tide’s best player three games in to its season, she will have to compete against Kobi Thornton on Monday, as the Crimson Tide hosts Clemson.
Thornton, who leads the Tigers in scoring (18) and rebounds (eight) per game this year, has been the Tigers most dynamic player three games into its season.
It handled Wofford and destroyed Lipscomb in its two wins this year, while losing at No. 10 South Carolina by 12.
Alongside Thornton, Clemson added graduate transfer Simone Westbrook, who played at Florida last year. In her only year as a Gator, she started 13 games, was fourth on the team in scoring and led the team with 2.3 steals a game, which helped her make the All-SEC Defensive Team.
“They’re tremendously athletic and long,” Curry said. “Amanda Butler has brought a renewed sense of energy, and those kids are playing so hard. They’re just a really talented, athletic group.”
Westbrook is currently second on the team in steals with 10. Leading the team is guard Danielle Edwards, who has 11. Alabama’s leading player in that category has seven.
Monday will be the first time in the four-game series that the two teams will face each other in the confines of Coleman Coliseum. Game tips at 7 p.m.
Clemson at Alabama
When: Monday at 7 p.m.
Where: Coleman Coliseum
Records: Alabama 2-1; Clemson 2-1
TV: SEC Network
Radio: 93.3 FM
