The Alabama women’s basketball team is on a three-game winning streak with wins over Florida, Auburn and Mississippi. The streak began Feb. 13 when the Crimson Tide played its first game in the newly renovated Foster Auditorium. Head coach Wendell Hudson said playing in Foster has been a spark for the team.
“We’re playing better basketball right now and we’re making some shots, but I think Foster Auditorium has a lot to do with it,” Hudson said. “The atmosphere we’re playing in right now is an atmosphere that the girls are really feeling good about. They walk out there and they believe. Energy is generated from the crowd and excitement.”
Junior guard Erika Russell said, “I felt like once we started winning — once we won that first one — I felt like we were going to continue to win. I think we just needed some kind of momentum or spark to give us confidence. I think the move to Foster and the atmosphere and the fans being here to support, I think that also helps. We really enjoy being here, and hopefully people coming out will help us to continue to win.”
The Tide completed a come-from-behind victory over the Florida Gators in the first game at Foster before traveling to beat rival Auburn.
“I think what happened in the Florida game built so much confidence that we believed that we could still come in there and beat Auburn,” Hudson said. “You could tell the confidence level. There was nobody looking down, and the look on their face was not like it was when we were going through that losing streak. The excitement that generated against Florida carried over in the Auburn game.”
After the Florida game, Jenkins said the team looked at the remainder of the schedule as a four-game season and looked to win out, gathering momentum heading into the conference tournament.
The atmosphere in Foster has proven to be louder and more intimate with the fans.
“I really like [playing in Foster],” senior forward Tierney Jenkins said. “I feel like it’s a more personal setting and the crowd really helps us out.”
Russell said, “I love playing [at Foster]. It’s a nice atmosphere. It’s smaller, but it’s more intimate. I feel like it’s more fans here. Having more people here, and being that it’s louder, I think it just gives us more confidence and momentum to get the win.”
While Russell hit a shooting slump at the beginning of Southeastern Conference play, she has bounced back and was named this week’s SEC Player of the Week after averaging 16.5 points, four assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in victories over Auburn and Mississippi.
Before the winning streak began, the Tide had lost 10 of its last 11 games. Offense and defense have been more efficient, and the team is playing with more confidence, Hudson said.
“We’re making shots, but we’re playing with confidence too,” Hudson said. “We’re playing better defense. We’re also rebounding the ball a bit better and we’re pushing the break. That home court advantage and that excitement and all that energy — once you get in that right atmosphere, it helps you mentally, and that’s what helps build confidence.”
The team will take on Mississippi State in the last home game of the season before heading to Arkansas to complete the regular season.
“Winning is contagious, just like losing is contagious,” Hudson said. “So, when you’re playing with confidence you’re looking forward to going and playing, especially at home. That carries over on the road. I think the team is really excited about both of these next two games.”
