A great start to a long home stretch is just what coach Kristy Curry and the Alabama women’s basketball team wanted. Tuesday night, Alabama hosted USC Upstate to tip off an eight game home stand that runs into January. The Crimson Tide took care of business and beat the Spartans 74-65.

“Just to be able to understand, just because you are at home doesn’t give you anything. You have got to defend your home court and handle in the right way,” Curry said. “It was good to win ugly tonight, and do what we needed to do. Any time we can score 70-plus that puts us in a position to win.”

Senior Brianna Hutchen led the team, and scored her season high with 21 points. Hutchen also led the team with 10 rebounds. It was her second double-double of the season.

“Nikki [Hegstetter] and I are both energy players. If we make shots that is just a plus,” Hutchen said. “I need to do what I need to do to help the team as a senior.”

Behind Hutchen, junior Hegstetter also took charge, scoring her season high as well with 12 points. Hegstetter brought energy to the team, and after a great hustle play to regain a possession, she slapped the floor with both hands and yelled. That play seemed to give the team a boost early in the second half when the game was close.

“I think that is just my role. That’s what I have to do night in and night out is bring the energy and bring the defensive monster. That’s what I need to be,” Hegstetter said. “I need to come out with that every game. So I think you will see a lot more of that.”

Alabama had three other players who were just out of reach of double figures with nine points. Alabama as a whole on offense made half of its shots, shooting exactly 50 percent. Curry said she liked the balance the team had and hope to carry that to the next game on the schedule. 

Alabama will host Tennessee-Martin on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Foster Auditorium.