BOL Round Table

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Three Crimson Tide players recorded double-digit points, but it was not enough as the Alabama women’s basketball team was edged by Florida, 67-61, on Sunday at Foster Auditorium. With the loss, the Tide moves to 12-15 overall and 2-12 in the Southeastern Conference while the win brings the Gators to 16-12 on the season and 5-9 against league opponents.

“That was one of those games that you look back on and think about what we left on the table,” said Alabama head coach Wendell Hudson. “We had ample opportunity and had some great scoring opportunities late in the basketball game. We just missed some shots. We had some people play hard and do some good things, but we have to have everybody playing hard and doing the same thing, especially from an offensive standpoint.”

Junior Shafontaye Myers led the team with 15 points in addition to four rebounds and one steal. Aiding in the Tide’s play was senior Meghan Perkins, who finished with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Freshman Nikki Hegstetter and redshirt sophomore Kaneisha Horn both captured a team high of six rebounds. The Gators were led by junior Jaterra Bonds with 15 points along with redshirt sophomore Kayla Lewis, collecting 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Florida took an early lead and remained in front until a 12-3 run by Alabama gave the Tide a 29-26 advantage with 3:51 to play in the first. Gator junior Lily Svete knocked down back-to-back three pointers to put Florida back in front with under two minutes to go. The Gators would hold a one-point edge, 32-31, heading into halftime.

Alabama came out hot in the second, opening the half with eight unanswered points. The Tide would lead by as many as 13; however a 19-4 run spanning five minutes for Florida gave the Gators the lead back with 5:16 to play, which they would hold onto for the duration of the contest.

For the game, Florida shot 43.1 percent (28-65) while Alabama was 34.8 percent (24-69) from the floor. The Tide forced 21 Gator turnovers, 11 of which came off steals.

“We played hard,” said Myers. “We fought hard the entire game. To fall short hurts badly. We have got to live on and stay positive from it and continue to work hard, practice to get better and be ready.”