Alabama Women’s Basketball set to take on Troy

The Alabama women’s basketball team (5-2) returns to the hardwood on Saturday for a meeting with Troy (2-6). The game is slated to tip off in Trojan Arena at 2 p.m. CT.

Saturday’s game marks the 19th meeting between Alabama and Troy; however it will be the first game between the two programs in over a decade as they last met on Nov. 20, 2001. The Crimson Tide leads the series 15-3 and has won the last 12 straight games against the Trojans.

Alabama started the season 5-0 but has since lost two consecutive games, falling at Wisconsin (69-50) and at home to Chattanooga (72-58). In both of its losses, the Tide struggled offensively, shooting a combined 25.8 percent (39-151). Through seven games, Alabama has forced its opponents to commit 31.0 turnovers per game while committing only 16. The +15.0 turnover margin ranks the Tide No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference and first in the nation. The Tide also ranks first in the SEC and No. 1 in the nation in steals, averaging 17.1 per game as a team.

Sophomore Daisha Simmons leads the team in points (13.7 ppg), steals (4.0 spg), assists (4.4 apg), blocks (1.3) and minutes (33.1 mpg). Her 4.0 steals per game ranks Simmons first in the Southeastern Conference and ninth in the nation in steals. In addition, junior Shafontaye Myers ranks second in the SEC and 16th in the nation in three-point field goals per game with an average of 3.0 made.

Troy recently ended its four-game losing skid as sophomore Kourtney Coleman put back a missed layup as time expired to lift the Trojans passed Alabama State, 90-88. For the game, Troy hit 44.9 percent (31-69) of its attempts, but managed 19.0 percent from three-point range (4-21). The Trojans had four players finish in double figures, led by junior Britney McCloud’s 26-point performance. Coleman added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the game’s lone double-double. On the season, Troy is averaging 80.0 point per game and shooting 40.5 percent from the floor.

The game can be heard locally with Mick Gillispie on the call on 790-AM WTSK.