Alabama women’s basketball suffered its first loss of the season on Dec. 2, losing 83-65 to UT Martin. Alabama drops to 6-1, while the Skyhawks move to 3-4 for the season. UT Martin got hot from the three-point range, hitting 16-of- 26 three point attempts in the game.
Sophomore Hannah Cook had a huge night, scoring a team-high 21 points while also leading the team with eight rebounds. Junior Breanna Hayden recorded a career high in assists, dishing out five for the team. UT Martin had a very successful scoring night, with four players finishing in double figures. Daijia Ruffin and Haley Howard led the way for the Skyhawks, each scoring 21 points in the win.
“When someone shoots the ball that well it is hard to beat anybody,” said head coach Kristy Curry in a press release. “That was one of the most incredible shooting efforts I’ve ever seen. They just knocked down shot after shot..”
In the opening 10 minutes, UT Martin lead by 20, hitting six three-pointers in seven minutes. Alabama cut the deficit down to 11 at the end of the first after a 9-0 run, trailing 27-16. Alabama had success in the opening portion of the second half, pulling within eight in the early going. UT Martin led going into the half 40-30.
UT Martin stretched their lead back to 20 in the second half, knocking down numerous three points. They would then cruise to an 18 point victory. Alabama did not have a bad shooting night, knocking down 46.6 percent (27-58) of its shots. UT Martin made 50.0 (28-56) percent of its attempts, while out rebounding the Tide, 33-30.
Alabama will be back in action when it takes on Alcorn State on Sunday, Dec. 6 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.