Alabama women's hoops beats LSU, 62-45

The University of Alabama women’s basketball team began Southeastern Conference play by knocking off the LSU Lady Tigers 62-45 Sunday at Foster Auditorium.
The Crimson Tide (12-2, 1-0 SEC) forced 25 LSU (6-8, 0-1 SEC) turnovers, resulting in 24 points. The victory gives Alabama its first win in an SEC opener since 2008.
“I’m incredibly proud,” Alabama head coach Kristy Curry said in a news release. “For Nikki Hegstetter, she comes off and says, ‘You know, I’ve never done that (won an SEC opener).’ She recognizes that. We all do. As we continue to progress forward, it’s the next game. We want to win the next game. It’s great to get off to this start (and) defend our home court. You have to do that in this league to be successful.”
LSU started the game shooting well, making seven of its first 11 shot attempts, but turnovers plagued the Lady Tigers from the start. There were a combined 17 turnovers in the opening period, with LSU committing 10. Alabama was 5-of-14 from the field in the quarter but trailed only 14-11 at the conclusion of the first quarter.
Alabama pulled within one point twice early in the second quarter, but each time, the Lady Tigers scored on consecutive possessions to increase the lead back to five.
The Tide took its first lead at 27-26 thanks to a pair of free throws by senior Nikki Hegstetter.
Alabama closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 29-26 lead into the locker room, capped by a Meoshonti Knight layup in the final seconds.
LSU held a distinct advantage in shooting percentage (59.1 percent to 39.3 percent) but turned the ball over 15 times and did not score a point from the foul line.
The Tide scored five straight points coming out of halftime and eventually extended its lead to 41-32. The Lady Tigers would never get closer than five points after that.
LSU went cold from the floor in the second half, converting only four of its 14 attempts in the third period.
Alabama finally pushed its lead to double digits at 50-39 with 6:25 to play when Knight, a Central Catholic High alum, stole the ball near midcourt and took it to the basket for an easy lay in.
The Tide dominated the final quarter as LSU went scoreless for more than eight minutes during a 15-0 stretch that gave the home team a 60-39 margin.
Knight poured in 17 points, the most the sophomore has scored in her career against a conference opponent. She also had three rebounds, one assist and six steals.
Fellow sophomore Karyla Middlebrook also reached double figures, scoring 10 points. Hegstetter was the Tide’s leading rebounder with six, while sophomore Hannah Cook, junior Breanna Hayden and Middlebrook all hauled in five boards.
“When we came out in warmups and we saw all the fans there, we knew it was going to be a great atmosphere,” Middlebrook said in a news release. “We haven’t had a crowd like that, I don’t think, at all this season in Foster. It was really great. Every time we have a crowd like that and every time we step on the court, we want to really play our hearts out for the fans who take the time out of the day to come out and support us. We really appreciate it. Awesome crowd.”
Alabama continues its SEC slate when it travels to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats Thursday at 6 p.m. on the SEC Network.
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