Tide women tame Bulldogs

TUSCALOOSA | Coming off of Saturday’s loss against UT-Chattanooga in which they scored a season-low 34 points, the University of Alabama women’s basketball team was happy to be playing again so soon.

Behind a raucous crowd of 3,839 — 2,191 of which were area fifth-grade students — an energized Alabama team topped Alabama A&M 62-57 Monday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum.

To kick off its Fifth Grade Fastbreak program, the University of Alabama invited 23 local elementary fifth-grade classrooms to watch the Crimson Tide play in a rare pre-noon tipoff.

UA teamed with Tuscaloosa City and County schools to establish the program, which is designed to engage students in basketball-related activities including math, language arts and character education.

Coach Stephany Smith said there was no question her players responded to the students’ energy.

“That was awesome,” Smith said. “It’s the chicken and egg theory. Build it and they will come.

“If you play well they will come. If they come we’ll play well. Today we had a home-court advantage. They [students] were very involved.”

Alabama responded putting up the most first-half points its scored all season taking a 34-27 lead into the half.

Freshman forward Tierney Jenkins scored 10 of her game-high 16 points in the first half on 4 of 10 shooting. Jenkins tallied a double-double on the day adding 15 rebounds.

Alabama trailed early 8-4 but went on a 10-point run to take a 14-8 lead. The Crimson Tide would not trail again.

Alabama dominated the Bulldogs on the glass 53-26. The Tide owned the offensive rebounds with a 24-8 advantage along with the defense out-rebounding Alabama A&M 29-18.

Alabama, which has been depleted by injuries this season, may have lost another player on Saturday.

Four minutes into the second half, Daleisha Carn jump-stopped into the lane to get off a shot but twisted her left knee awkwardly which sent her sprawling to the floor in pain.

After the game an obviously concerned and frustrated Smith said there was no update on Carn’s condition.

“I’m concerned about our lack of depth, lack of numbers and lack of confidence,” Smith said. “The tough thing is this year we’ve lost three guards [Alyson Butler, Katie Hancock and Nikki Davis] and a post player [Caitlin Hollifield].

“It’s just such a vital blow. We have many mountains to climb.”

Jenkins said the team responded to the crowd’s energy.

“We wanted to win at home,” she said. “They gave us encouragement.”

Junior guard Camilla Blands, who had 10 points, two assists, two blocks and four steals, said it was the team wanted to play hard for the students.

“It was nice to have a home crowd like this,” Blands said. “We played more as a team today.”

Point guard Dedrea Magee joined Jenkins and Blands in double figures scoring 12 points.

Felicia Drummond led the Bulldogs with 13 points. Ashleonte’ Samuel and Brittany Manning both scored 10 points.

Alabama (4-7) continues its homestand against Hampton on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Tide will close out 2007 hosting Jacksonville State on Saturday.