Alabama women’s basketball was locked in defensively Thursday in a 70-41 win against USF at Coleman Coliseum.
The Crimson Tide (4-0) held the Bulls (3-1) to 24% shooting from the field on 14 made field goals.
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Here are three takeaways from Alabama’s win:
Another hot start defensively
Alabama was efficient from the floor defensively, holding USF scoreless for the first four minutes of the game.
At 4:46 in the first quarter, USF was shooting just 1-10 from the field and 1-for-5 from three.
At the conclusion of the first quarter, USF had more free throws made than field goals. The Bulls shot a total 2-15 from the field and 1-7 from three-point range in the quarter.
After the conclusion of the first half, Alabama’s defense was able to hold USF to just 17% shooting from the field on just five made field goals. It marked the Crimson Tide’s best first half defensively all season. After the third quarter, USF shot just 20% on nine field goals made.
Head coach Kristi Curry believed this kind of defensive effort can help Alabama become a very dangerous team.
“The discipline defensively tonight was there, and I thought that everyone that came in did a great job. Really a great disciplined defensive effort that can help us win a lot of games if it holds up,” Curry said.
Sarah Ashlee Barker continues to shine offensively
Barker has been one of Alabama’s most reliable scoring options through four games this season.
At the break, Barker had a team-high 19 points and six rebounds, her highest scoring display in a half all season.
The senior has now led the Crimson Tide in scoring in three out of the first four games with a season-high 25 points in Thursday’s win.
Barker will continue to be the focal point of Alabama’s scoring offense moving forward in the season.
Alabama’s points in the paint
The Crimson Tide were able to get to the paint at ease the entirety of the game, scoring a total of 38 points in the paint.
Alabama outscored USF by 26 points in the painted area.
The Crimson Tide will look to continue making that a point of emphasis offensively the rest of the season.
Up next
Alabama travels to Little Rock to take on University of Arkansas at Little Rock (0-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.