Women’s basketball fails to capitalize on Johnson’s career game

By+Evan+Pilat

By Evan Pilat

RJ Nealon, Staff Writer

Alabama women’s basketball fell to LSU 62-56, on Sunday afternoon. It is now 10-9 (2-4 SEC), while the Tigers improve to 12-6 (3-3 SEC).

“You have to credit LSU,” coach Kristy Curry said. “Things did not go their way earlier in the week, and we had some things going good for us earlier in the week. I was disappointed. I think there is a big difference in today’s game, and you look up, and our five spot has 27 (points), 11 (rebounds, and five blocks (on Thursday) and today have seven (points), nine (rebounds), and two (blocks).

“You can’t win in this league being inconsistent. As far as our staff, we go back to work, and we be persistent and consistent. We prepare. Nothing changes. But something changes individually. They have to grow up and understand that we have to be consistent. I’ll do everything I can, but I think we are at a player point where we have some kids that have got to be consistent.”

Leading the Crimson Tide was junior Cierra Johnson with 27 points, six rebounds, and two assists matching her career high in points. Sophomores Jasmine Walker scored 13 points and added five rebounds, and Ariyah Copeland scored seven. Freshman Megan Abrams scored five, and senior Shaquera Wade scored four.

In the first half, Alabama went 11-of-25 for 44 percent, while LSU shot 13-of-28 for 46 percent. The Crimson Tide scored the first nine shots of the second quarter to have a 25-18 lead and made four of its last five shots in the half but couldn’t pass LSU for the lead. Alabama had 10 of its 18 turnovers in the first two quarters. Alabama trailed 36-28 at halftime.

Alabama trailed for the majority of the game, but the Crimson Tide made a late push in the last minutes of the fourth quarter. Johnson hit five straight free-throws after a technical foul was given to LSU’s bench. However, the Crimson Tide made 1-of-7 of its last shots.

Alabama went 17-of-44 for 38 percent shooting in the game, while LSU shot 24-of-55 and 43 percent from the field. The Tigers outrebounded the Crimson Tide 37-28 and forced 18 Alabama turnovers. The Crimson Tide went 19-of-24 from the foul line for 79 percent.

During the game, there was five ties and five lead changes.

The Crimson Tide travels to Fayetteville, Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks on Thursday, Jan. 24. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.