Alabama Women's Basketball Opens With Emphatic Victory

The Crimson Tide took care of business in the season opener.

Monday kicked off the start of the college basketball season and the Alabama women opened up with a 93-39 victory over Alabama State.

"Loved our team tonight. I thought we made some improvement from our Alabama-Hunstville experience on the defensive side of the ball and creating turnovers and offense early and really rebounding the ball," said Alabama head women's basketball coach Kristy Curry. "Just proud of our team's effort. Thought it was a collective great job with our leadership and just toughness tonight. It's who we need to be night-in and night-out."

The Crimson Tide was led by senior wing player Sarah Ashlee Barker who scored 23 points with eight rebounds. She was backed up by transfer Jessica Timmons who scored 18 of her own and freshman Essence Cody.

"I think the sky is the limit. She obviously played with a lot more pace tonight I thought. Played really, really hard. I thought she was flying around and more active. A near double-double in her first outing. I think that's really important," said Curry of her prized freshman recruit.

Alabama forced Alabama State into 32 turnovers on the game and held the Hornets to just 13-43 (30%) from the floor. 

The Crimson Tide started its season with a big win but the competition should be considered. The Hornets went just 16-15 last season and finished third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The women will play the opening game of another Alabama basketball double-header on Friday when they square off against Winthrop.

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