Alabama falls to Vanderbilt, Knight scores 12 points

The University of Alabama women’s basketball team overcame a 14-point deficit to take the lead back in the third, but a 21-point fourth quarter for Vanderbilt gave the Commodores a 67-52 victory Monday night in Memorial Gymnasium.
With the loss, the Crimson Tide falls to 13-7 overall and 2-5 in Southeastern Conference play, while the win lifts Vanderbilt to 14-5 overall and 3-3 in league play.
“You have to credit Vanderbilt,” Alabama head coach Kristy Curry said in a news release. “I thought Rachel Bell was unbelievable down the stretch. She shot the ball really well and countered whatever we were taking away. We’ve got to have someone step up and defend every possession. You have to fight so hard to get back in, and I wonder sometimes how much we have left in the tank to continue to get over the hump. I thought we fought so hard defensively to get back in the game that it affected us on the offensive end. Conditioning will be important as we continue to work on those things.”
Senior Nikki Hegstetter scored on the opening possession before Vanderbilt put up nine of the next 10 points to lead 9-3 midway through the first quarter.
Alabama sophomore Quanetria Bolton knocked down back-to-back threes to even the game, but a 14-7 run for the Commodores to end the quarter gave Vanderbilt a 23-16 lead after one.
Alabama scored two quick baskets to start the second; however, the Commodores followed that up with 11 unanswered during the next four minutes to take a 34-20 advantage.
Vanderbilt eventually led, 39-28, at halftime.
The Tide dominated the third, outscoring the Commodores, 19-7. Alabama registered the first 13 points of the quarter to take its first lead since the opening basket as sophomore Meoshonti Knight, a Central Catholic alum, took the ball to the hoop for the score and the 41-39 lead at the 3:27 mark.
Alabama remained on top at the end of the third, 47-46.
Vanderbilt jumped back in front at the 6:34 mark of the fourth quarter off a three from junior Minta Spears.
From there, the Commodores closed the contest on a 16-3 run.
Sophomore Hannah Cook led the Tide in scoring with 13 points. She was followed by Bolton and Knight, who added 12 apiece.
Bell led all scorers with 23 points.
For the game, Alabama shot 38.2 percent (21-55), while Vanderbilt finished 45 percent (27-60) from the floor.
The Commodores also outrebounded the Tide, 44-24.
Alabama hits the court again tonight as it hosts Texas A&M in Foster Auditorium. The game is slated to tip off at 6 p.m. and will air on SEC Network +.