Alabama's Cierra Johnson (4) reaches for a loose ball defended as Vanderbilt's LeaLea Carter (30 looks on during the first half of a women's Southeastern conference NCAA college basketball tournament game Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
The Associated Press
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - Shaquera Wade scored a career-high 26 points and Jasmine Walker added 22 to help No. 11 seed Alabama beat Vanderbilt 74-57 on Wednesday in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.
Walker was 8-of-10 shooting, including 3 of 3 from behind the arc, and Cierra Johnson finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Alabama. The Crimson Tide (14-16) will play sixth-seeded Auburn in Thursday's second round.
Walker and Johnson scored four points apiece in a 10-0 run that gave Alabama a 22-11 lead with about 6 ˆ½ minutes left in the second quarter and Wade scored eight points in the last five minutes of the half, including two 3-pointers, to make it 32-20 at halftime. The Crimson Tide led by double figures the rest of the way.
Alabama, which came in shooting 39.1 percent from the field this season, shot a season-high 53.8 percent (28 of 52).
LeaLea Carter led Vanderbilt (7-23) with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting. The rest of the Commodores made just 17 of 53 (32 percent) from the field.
Alabama's Jasmine Walker, top, battles for a loose ball with Vanderbilt's LeaLea Carter, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference women's tournament, Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
The Associated Press
Alabama's Shaquera Wade (23) drives to the basket defended by Vanderbilt's Chelsie Hall (2) during the first half of a women's Southeastern conference NCAA college basketball tournament game Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
The Associated Press
Alabama head coach Kristy Curry calls out a play during the first half of a women's Southeastern conference NCAA college basketball tournament game against Vanderbilt, Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
The Associated Press
Vanderbilt's Jordan Cambridge (3) drives against Alabama's Jasmine Walker during the first half of a women's Southeastern conference NCAA college basketball tournament game Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
The Associated Press
Vanderbilt's Brinae Alexander passes in front of Alabama's Jasmine Walker during the first half of a women's Southeastern conference NCAA college basketball tournament game Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
The Associated Press
Vanderbilt's Brinae Alexander is comforted by Vanderbilt team doctor Alex Diamond after being injured during the first half of a women's Southeastern conference NCAA college basketball tournament game against Alabama, Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
The Associated Press
Vanderbilt's LeaLea Carter (30) drives against Alabama's Shaquerra Wade during the first half of a women's Southeastern conference NCAA college basketball tournament game Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
The Associated Press