Alabama Women’s Basketball Tallies 2nd Win

Sophomore Daisha Simmons recorded 22 points and junior Shafontaye Myers added another 19 to lead Alabama to an 83-74 victory over Houston on Tuesday at Hofheinz Pavilion. The win moves the Crimson Tide to 2-0 on the season, while the Cougars fall to 0-2 with the loss.

 “I thought from the beginning we played awfully hard tonight,” said Alabama head coach Wendell Hudson. “We knew coming on the road and playing against a good team like this was going to be tough, but I am pleased with the way we responded. I am really proud of the team’s effort tonight.”

Joining Simmons and Myers in doubles figures was junior Jasmine Robinson with 13 as well as sophomore Kaneisha Horn, who finished with a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Meghan Perkins registered a game-high three assists, while Myers tallied a career-best six steals.

Alabama never trailed in the game as Simmons hit the first points of the contest with a three-pointer at the 18:51 mark. The Tide remained in front until six unanswered points put the Cougars on top, 18-17, with 9:35 to play in the opening half. From there, Alabama used an 18-7 run to take a 10-point advantage with just over four minutes to play in the first. The Tide would stay in front and take a 39-33 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The second half would start the same as the first with Simmons drilling a three-pointer. She would hit her second shot from beyond the arc minutes later to put Alabama in front by 10 yet again. Houston slowly chipped into the Tide lead, cutting it to four at the 8:32 mark, but a four-point play from Myers on the ensuing play pushed the edge back out to eight. The Cougars would come no closer than six for the duration of the contest.

For the game, Alabama shot just 29.4 percent from the floor (25-85), however nine of its 25 made attempts were three-pointers. The Tide connected on 24 of its 33 shots from the free throw line and collected 19 steals.

 Alabama returns to the hardwood on Saturday, Nov. 17, for its first of three straight home games. The Tide will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Foster Auditorium at 5 p.m. CT. That game can be heard locally on 99.1 WDGM’s sister station 790 AM WTSK.