Marverly Nettles

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TUSCALOOSA – Marverly Nettles’ long jumper with three seconds remaining in overtime propelled the Alabama Crimson Tide to an 81-79 victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the regular season opener on Friday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum.

The script was eerily similar to last year’s match-up in Ann Arbor, as Alabama fought the Wolverines to a draw in regulation before pulling out a 76-74 victory in the extra frame. That game was also the first for the Tide in 2003.

Alabama’s first lead in the game came with 15:46 remaining in the second half as Natasha Gamble nailed a jumper to put the Tide ahead by one point. It was the culmination of a furious Alabama comeback, who trailed by as many as 18 points in the first period.

“They jumped on us early and jumped on the loose balls and got the rebounds,” Alabama head coach Rick Moody said. “We shot the ball so poorly. I thought the players coming off the bench didn’t pick us up in the first half, it kind of created chaos for us.”

The Wolverines were not rattled by the Tide’s comeback, storming back to equal the score less than two minutes later and taking the lead on their next possession. With just over three minutes remaining in regulation, and Michigan leading by seven, the Tide’s chances of victory looked slim. Enter Gamble and Nettles.

The pair scored seven points as the half dwindled to a close to pull the Tide to within a point. Kate Mastin’s free throw with 12 seconds remaining evened the score and forced overtime, where Nettles and Gamble continued to dominate the Wolverines inside. Nettles answered an early Michigan lay-up with a short jumper, while Gamble dropped two big shots in the paint to put Alabama ahead, 77-75. Michigan countered as Janelle Cooper jumper to knot the score once more.

Gamble took the next Tide possession inside again, draining a lay-up with less than a minute remaining. Jessica Starling’s lay-up tied the score for the Wolverines with 19 seconds left, setting the stage for Nettles dramatic jumper.

“It was a heck of a way to start the season,” Moody said. “I don’t think last year that there was any way that we could have won this game. Tonight was had enough athleticism.”

Nettles led the Tide athletes in scoring with a career high 25 points on 70 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc. A near constant presence at the free throw line, Nettles drained 10 of 15 shots from the charity stripe. Gamble contributed 21 points of her own, connecting on 8 of her 14 shots from the field.

Dee Merriweather led the Tide in rebounding, pulling down 10 boards, including six on the offensive end.

The Wolverines had four players score in double-figures and six players with three or more turnovers. Ta’Shia Walker and Tabitha Pool scored 15 points each to lead Michigan.

The Tide hosts Middle Tennessee State at Coleman Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Natasha Gamble shoots a jumper just outside the paint.
(Photo by Lindsay Morrison)

Navonda Moore gets tangled up in traffic.
(Photo by Lindsay Morrison)

Navonda Moore drives toward the basket.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)

Marverly Nettles shoots a free throw.
(Photo by Lindsay Morrison)

Marverly Nettles cheers on her teammates from the bench.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)

The Tide bench cheers on the team.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)