Tide fades after building an early lead

AUBURN | Despite jumping out to an early lead, the University of Alabama women's basketball team (8-16, 1-8 SEC) was unable to get past rival Auburn (16-7, 4-4 SEC), falling to the Tigers 74-49 Thursday night.

Alabama built an 11-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game. The start was fueled by Tierney Jenkins, who scored eight of the team's first 11 points. Jenkins posted a double-double for the Tide with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Dedrea Magee led the team in scoring with 14 to go with a team-high five steals. Courtney Strauthers added 12 points for Alabama and Talisha Chandler provided help off the bench with seven points and six rebounds.

'Tonight we found our fight and chemistry again,' Tide coach Stephany Smith said. 'We played a lot better tonight.'

After the strong start, the Tide struggled to score from the field, finishing at 34 percent (18-for-53) for the game. Magee knocked down Alabama's two 3-pointers, leaving the team at 29 percent (2-for-7) from behind the arc.

Auburn shot 44 percent (25-for-57) from the floor and 57 percent (4-for-7) from beyond the arc.

The Tigers held the edge on the backboards, out-rebounding the Tide 42-36.

Despite falling into an early hole, Auburn took a 36-25 lead into the halftime break. Alabama cut the lead to eight in the opening moments of the second half but was unable to draw any closer.

DeWanna Bonner led the Tigers in four statistical categories, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five blocks. Sherell Hobbs and Alli Smalley each scored in double figures with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

The Tide will play at Kentucky at noon Sunday.