Alabama women's basketball team downs Golden Eagles

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. | Alabama used a stingy defense Friday night, holding Tennessee Tech to just 12 first-half points and holding off a second-half run from the Golden Eagles to come away with its second road win of the year, 53-47, at the Eblen Center.

Alabama was led by freshman Tierney Jenkins, who recorded her first career double-double, with 11 points and 13 rebounds — a career high. Sophomore Talisha Chandler was a rebound short of her own double-double, scoring a team-high 13 points and pulling down nine rebounds.

Alabama (2-5) took a 26-12 lead to the half, allowing just five field goals in the first 20 minutes and holding the Golden Eagles (1-4) to 25 percent shooting in the first half and 32 percent for the game. The Tide shot 33 percent in the contest but hit five three-pointers, three of which came from Chandler.

The Tide was able to force 25 Tennessee Tech turnovers to help withstand the Golden Eagles’ second-half rally. Tennessee Tech, behind 22 points from Kristina Tyler, outscored Alabama 35-27 in the second half to keep the game close.

Friday night’s game wraps up Alabama’s Tennessee road trip, where the Tide faced Belmont on Wednesday night before traveling to Cookeville to face Tennessee Tech. Alabama returns to Tuscaloosa next to host consecutive games at Coleman Coliseum, facing Louisiana Tech, Dec. 5 and St. Mary’s, Dec. 9.