South Coast Times

The Alabama women's basketball team closed its non-conference schedule in dominant fashion after limiting North Florida to single digits in three-of-four quarters for a commanding 89-25 victory inside Coleman Coliseum. It marked the Crimson Tide's ninth consecutive victory to improve to 11-2 on the season.

Thursday afternoon's 64-point win is tied for the eighth-largest margin of victory in Crimson Tide history. Alabama, which is coming off a 62-point win (92-30) vs. Norfolk State Dec. 18, captured wins of 60-or-more points in the same month for the first time in school history. It also marks the third time the Tide has had two 60-plus point wins in the same year.

UA had four players record double-digits in the win. Karly Weathers paced the team with career highs in points (21) and rebounds (6), while adding three steals on the day. Brittany Davis tallied 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals, while Aaliyah Nye (12) and Megan Abrams (10) also reached double digits.

Lyric Swann was the lone Osprey (3-7) to reach double digits as she captured 12 points, three boards and two assists to lead the team in the loss.

Alabama Head Coach Kristy Curry Said

"Really good effort from our team today. I thought they did an amazing job of being where their feet were, instead of focusing on heading home this afternoon. I thought they really took care of business. I know one of my favorite things that I learned that Coach (John) Wooden would always say is, you always want your team to go home with a smile at Christmas. So today I'm really excited that our team gets to go home with a smile at Christmas. I love the way they won the game today. It's always how you win. And I love how they approached the opportunity today."

Game Stats

• Alabama recorded its 10th consecutive win at home and seventh straight victory in Coleman Coliseum
• After a 22-11 first quarter, the Crimson Tide outscored the Osprey 43-6 over the next two quarters to hold a commanding 65-17 advantage heading into the fourth quarter
• It is the first time since 2016 that Alabama has held a team to just two or fewer points in a quarter (24-2 third quarter) with the last time occurring in a scoreless opening stanza against Lipscomb on Dec. 28, 2016
• Additionally, the 25 points from North Florida is the fewest scored points by an opponent since UA held Georgia State to 21 in 1990
• The Tide has had a combined 47 three-pointers in its last three games, knocking down a program-record 17 against Norfolk State and 15 against both Southeastern Louisiana (12/20) and North Florida
• Jada Rice tallied a season-high four blocks for the fourth time this season
• Alabama shot 50.7 percent on the day and 38.5 percent from distance, while North Florida was 22.7 percent from both the floor and from beyond the arc
• Alabama has now defeated six teams by 25 or more points this season (Alabama A&M 98-51, Gardner-Webb 89-60, Mercer 88-52, Little Rock 69-44, Norfolk State 92-30, North Florida 89-25)

How It Happened

• Alabama closed the opening stanza with a 10-5 run to take a 22-11 lead heading into the second quarter
• UA opened the quarter with 10 unanswered points to force a North Florida timeout with a 21-point advantage (8:10) 
• The Tide would go on to outscore the Osprey 19-4 to take a 26-point victory into the break (41-15)
• Davis paced the floor with 13 points, five rebounds and four steals, while Weathers tallied eight points and Nye added six points
• Alabama shot 42.9 percent (15-of-35) from the floor and 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from distance, while North Florida was 27.3 percent in both field goals and three-point field goals making 6-of-22 from the floor and 3-of-11 from beyond the arc
• A dominant third quarter moved Alabama ahead by 48 points (65-17) as UA held the Osprey to just two points over the 10-minute span
• The Tide opened with a narrow 8-6 advantage in the first five minute of the fourth quarter, but Alabama closed with a 14-2 run for a 64-point victory

Next Up

• Alabama opens Southeastern Conference action on Dec. 29, hosting Georgia at 6 p.m. CT in Coleman Coliseum
• The game against the Bulldogs will close a five-game homestand for the Tide

Original source can be found here