Feb. 1, 2009

Final Stats

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Alabama women's basketball team dropped an 88-64 decision Sunday at No. 20/22 Vanderbilt despite a career game for sophomore Varisia Raffington who finished with 27 points. With the loss, the Crimson Tide dips to 12-10 on the season and 0-7 in Southeastern Conference play, while the Commodores improve to 17-5 overall and 6-1 in league action.

"It is hard for anyone to go out there and play with the effort that we are when you're not winning games," said head coach Wendell Hudson. "There was a five-minute stretch in the first half where we didn't play well, and Vanderbilt made its shots. We cannot afford to have these scoring droughts. There really was good effort from this team today, but we still have to make baskets."

Raffington's 27 was a game high for both teams. She hit seven of eight attempts from three-point range eclipsing her previous high of just two.

"Varisia is really stepping up for us," added Hudson. "She is playing well on both ends of the court. Offensively, she has been one of our most consistent players, especially in SEC games."

Sophomore Tierney Jenkins also had a solid game for Alabama posting her fifth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Vanderbilt had three players notch double-figure scoring numbers led by senior Christina Wirth's 21 points.

After trailing 5-0 to start the game, Alabama nailed a trio of three-pointers to take a 9-5 lead at 16:34. Five straight points by Vanderbilt over the next 46 seconds put the Commodores back out in front by one point. The lead went back and forth with one tie and six lead changes until the 12:26 mark as Vanderbilt catapulted in front behind the efforts of a 15-0 run. As in the first meeting this season between the two teams, the Commodores went into halftime with a 25-point advantage.

Jenkins put the Tide on the board first in the second frame with a layup just 19 seconds in. Vanderbilt continued to be strong on the offensive end though and took a 28-point lead, its largest of the contest, when senior Jennifer Risper hit a free throw putting the home team up 55-27. The Tide cut it to 18 with 10:01 remaining but did not get any closer for the duration.

After scoring just 23 points to the Commodores' 48 in the first half, Alabama outscored Vanderbilt 41-40 in the second stanza. Both teams were impressive from three-point range combining for 21-of-36 attempts.

Next up, Alabama hosts No. 12/16 Florida on Thursday, Feb. 5 in Coleman Coliseum for a 6:00 p.m. (CST) tipoff.