TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Tierney Jenkins scored 28 points to lead three Crimson Tide women in double figures and also grabbed 12 rebounds to lead hot-shooting Alabama to a cold-shooting Florida, 82-58, Thursday in Southeastern Conference basketball before 1,367 at Coleman Coliseum.
Alabama (9-10, 1-5 SEC) shot 58.2 percent for the game, 65.4 percent in the second half. Florida (10-9, 3-3 SEC) shot just 31.4 percent for the game (22 of 70) and only 22.2 percent (4 of 18) from beyond the 3-point shooting line.
It was the first time during the SEC season that Florida has lost by more than 10 points. The Crimson Tide outscored the Gators 10-2 late in the first half to open up a 38-26 halftime lead, and then a 12-3 to open the second half increased the Alabama lead to 50-29.
Jenkins scored 17 of her points in the first half. Celiscia Farmer contributed 19 points off the bench for Alabama, while Ericka Russell tallied 18 points and seven assists.
“We just weren’t ready to play today, I don’t know how else to dissect it,” Florida head coach Amanda Butler said. “I’m sure the film will show us specific things, but it was a lot more important for Alabama to get the win today and it showed all over the court. Tierney Jenkins kicked our butts from one end of the court to the other. You have to commend Alabama because it had just lost a player for the season and it was important for them to step up and get every rebound. They outplayed us in every category.”
Sharielle Smith and Azania Stewart both scored nine points to lead Florida. Smith also collected a team-high nine rebounds, helping the Gators to a 43-37 edge on the glass.
Ndidi Madu and Jennifer George scored eight points apiece for Florida, which had 10 different players score during the game.
The Gators return home Sunday to play South Carolina in the O’Connell Center at 1 p.m. Sun Sports will televise the game statewide.
Fans should plan to attend the game to help members of the American Red Cross International Response Fund which is helping the Haitian Relief Effort. The members will answer questions about the relief efforts in Haiti, which was hit by a devastating 7.0 earthquake and several severe aftershocks that have left many hundreds of thousands in the capital city of Port-au-Prince either dead, severely injured, without homes and with little food and water.
Special envelopes will be distributed at the games to fans who can take them home, make a donation and mail it in.
Other special events are planned for the game. Fans with ticket stubs from Saturday’s game against South Carolina can get into the game for free. All Gator Boosters with a valid ID also will be admitted free. It’s also Family 4 Pack Sunday (four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas for $20) and the first 1,000 fans will receive Gator wallets courtesy of Sun Sports.
ALABAMA 82, FLORIDA 58
At Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
FLORIDA (58) – Lonnika Thompson 0-6 0-0 0, Steffi Sorensen 1-4 0-0 3, Azania Stewart 3-5 3-4 9, Sharielle Smith 3-11 2-2 9, Jordan Jones 2-8 0-0 5, Christal Caldwell 2-4 0-0 4, Tessah Holt 0-1 3-4 3, Ndidi Madu 3-9 2-2 8, Susan Yenser 0-0 0-0 0, Trumae Lucas 2-9 0-0 4, Jennifer Mossor 2-7 0-1 5, Jennifer George 4-6 0-1 8. TOTALS 22-70 10-14 58.
Field-goal shooting: 22 of 70 for 31.4 percent. 3-point shooting: 4 of 18 for 22.2 percent (Mossor 1-2, Sorensen 1-3, Smith 1-5, Jones 1-5, Thompson 0-3). Free-throw shooting: 10 of 14 for 75 percent. Rebounds: 43 (Smith 9, Madu 6, Stewart 6). Assists: 11 (Mossor 3, Thompson 2, Holt 2). Blocked shots: 6 (Stewart 3, Lucas 2). Steals: 8 (Caldwell 2). Turnovers: 24 (Lucas 6). Total fouls (fouled out): 22 (Smith 5, Lucas 5).
ALABAMA (82) – Dedrea Magee 3-6 0-0 7, LaToya King 0-2 1-2 1, Tierney Jenkins 10-14 8-11 28, Courtney Strauthers 0-2 0-0 0, Ericka Russell 7-11 3-4 18, Alyson Butler 1-5 0-0 3, Celiscia Farmer 9-12 1-3 19, Carmen McCoy 2-3 0-0 4, Katie Hancock 0-0 2-2 2, Tamara Williams 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 32-55 15-22 82.
Field-goal shooting: 32 of 55 for 58.2 percent. 3-point shooting: 3 of 10 for 30 percent (Magee 1-2, Butler 1-3, Russell 1-4, King 0-1). Free-throw shooting: 15 of 22 for 68.2 percent. Rebounds: 37 (Jenkins 12, Farmer 7). Assists: 21 (Russell 7, Magee 6, Jenkins 4). Blocked shots: 6 (McCoy 3). Steals: 8 (Jenkins 5). Turnovers: 22 (Farmer 5, King 4, Jenkins 4). Total fouls (fouled out): 16 (none).
Halftime score: Alabama 38, Florida 26. Records: Alabama 9-10, 1-5 SEC; Florida 10-9, 3-3 SEC. Officials: Eric Brewton, Denise Brooks, Mike Riggs. A—1,367.
SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
For the latest standings, click below:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/conferences/standings?year=2010&confId=23
Thursday, Jan. 21
Alabama 82, Florida 58
No. 8 Georgia 53, No. 3 Tennessee 50
No. 19 Louisiana State 69, South Carolina 52
No. 25 Kentucky 69, Arkansas 52
No. 20 Vanderbilt 61, Auburn 60
Mississippi 66, Mississippi State 58
Sunday, Jan. 24
South Carolina at Florida, 1 p.m. (SUN)
Mississippi at Georgia, 1 p.m. (CSS)
Auburn at Kentucky, 2 p.m. (SECN)
Arkansas at Alabama, 3 p.m. (FSN)
Mississippi State at Vanderbilt, 3 p.m.
Tennessee at Louisiana State, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
Thursday, Jan. 28
Auburn at Tennessee, 7 p.m. (CSS)
Mississippi at South Carolina, 7 p.m.
Alabama at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m.
Kentucky at Louisiana State, 8 p.m.
Georgia at Mississippi State, 9 p.m. (FSN)
Sunday, Jan. 31
Florida at Mississippi, 3 p.m. (FSN)
Tennessee at South Carolina, 2 p.m. (SEC)
Louisiana State at Alabama, 3 p.m.
Vanderbilt at Arkansas, 3 p.m.
Kentucky at Mississippi State, 3 p.m.
Georgia at Auburn, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
WALKER TAKES OVER IN ARKANSAS
For men’s story, summary and standings from 71-66 victory, CLICK HERE:
https://www.gatorcountry.com/basketball/article/walker_takes_over_in_last_6_minutes/8221