Alabama women's basketball opened up its 2024-25 season with a dominant 115-53 win over New Orleans at Coleman Coliseum on Monday night.
It marks the first time in three years that the No. 25 ranked Crimson Tide put up 100 points in a game. Before that, the most Alabama had scored in a game was 109 vs. Charleston Southern on Nov. 9, 2021. Alabama was led by Aaliyah Nye with 25 points, followed by Sarah Ashlee Barker with 23.
Here are three takeaways from Alabama women's basketball (1-0) in its season-opening win vs. New Orleans (0-1).
Alabama never once trailed the Privateers. Essence Cody got the scoring started for Alabama with a layup on its first possession, the Crimson Tide rolling from there. By the end of the first quarter, Alabama held a 25-13 lead. By halftime, it led 58-27. Nye accounted for 17 first-half points, followed by Barker with 14.
Alabama also scored 13 fast-break points in the first half and added 10 more from second-chance baskets. It largest lead came in the fourth quarter up 64 points.
Of Alabama's seven 3-pointers in the first half, Nye scored five of them, going 5 of 9 (55%) from 3-point range across the first two quarters. Barker and Eris Lester each added 3-point baskets in the first half, the team going 7 of 16 (44.4%) from three in the first half.
The second half was much of the same, Alabama coming out of the break with three straight treys from Nye, Barker and Karly Weathers. Nye finished leading the team from 3-point range, going 7-of-12 (63.6%). Alabama finished the game14-of-31 (45.2%) from outside.
KRISTY CURRY: Kristy Curry: Alabama women's basketball won't 'get caught up' with historic ranking
ALABAMA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Where is Alabama women's basketball ranked in USA TODAY Preseason Coaches Poll?
In the first half alone, Alabama forced 26 New Orleans turnovers, scoring 25 points off of them. The Crimson Tide finished the game forcing 35 turnovers, resulting in 38 points. Nye came up with four steals for Alabama, Barker and Zaay Green each adding three.
Alabama takes its first road trip of the season on Friday, travelling to Alabama A&M (7:30 p.m. CT).
Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama softball and football recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com . Follow her on X @annaesnyder2.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Takeaways from Alabama women's basketball's season-opening win over UNO
