TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama was not a gracious host Sunday as the Crimson Tide used a dominant first quarter to knock off a shorthanded Vanderbilt women’s basketball team 98-61 at Coleman Coliseum.
Fifth-year senior and leading scorer Mariella Fasoula attempted to play through illness, but was held scoreless in just nine minutes for the Commodores who were already without starters Brinae Alexander and Autumn Newby due to injury.
Junior guard Chelsie Hall tied a career high with five steals, freshman Kiara Pearl tallied a career-best 11 points, sophomore guard Jordyn Cambridge finished with a career-best three blocks and senior LeaLea Carter led four Commodores in double figures with 15 points.
Vanderbilt fell on the road for just the second time this season and dropped to 12-8 overall and 2-5 in SEC play.
How it Happened
Alabama (12-8, 2-5) scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back on its home court. The Crimson Tide led 32-7 after the first quarter.
It was the most points the Commodores have allowed in the opening quarter this season as Alabama made all six of its 3-point attempts. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt was 3-for-14 from the field in its lowest scoring first quarter of the year.
It was all about pride after that. The Commodores tried to chip away and battled the rest of the way but the opening deficit was too much.
By the Numbers
Hall added 10 points and, in Fasoula’s absence, led the team in rebounding with five boards.
Cambridge contributed 11 points and three steals in addition to a team-high three assists.
Pearl, who’s previous career high was 10 – set last Sunday against No. 23 Arkansas, also tied a career high with three made 3s.
Freshman Yaubryon Chambers played a career high 19 minutes and pulled down a career-best four rebounds.
For the game, Alabama shot at a 52 percent clip, including 12 of 17 (71%) from 3-point range. Vanderbilt was just 32 percent overall and was out-rebounded 46-31.
On Deck
On Thursday, the Commodores host rival Tennessee at 8 p.m. on SEC Network. A pregame panel of prominent women in Nashville sports will take place as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (more info here), and the Commodores will also be participating in the Sports Bra Project which will be taking donations at the door for those that can donate new sports bras for areas where that may be a barrier to sports participation. In addition, the first 500 students receive free Vanderbilt sweaters. Tickets can be found here.
