If Alabama is to make a run in the SEC women’s basketball tournament this week, chances are Covington’s Ashley Williams will play a key role.
Williams, who was named to the SEC all-freshman team Tuesday, averaged 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in the Crimson Tide’s past eight games. The Alcovy High product is the only freshman to rank in the top 20 in scoring and top 15 in rebounding in league games.
The Crimson Tide (14-15, 7-9) have a rematch against LSU (18-11, 7-9) on Thursday at Gwinnett Arena. Williams, a 6-foot forward, had 14 points and 10 rebounds in Alabama’s 78-60 victory against the Tigers on Sunday.
The Crimson Tide’s seven league victories are their most since 2001, and they’ve posted upset victories against Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
“The kids have bought into everything we’ve wanted them to do,” first-year Alabama coach Kristy Curry said. “We’ve been fortunate to make a few plays and win a more games than people thought we would. It just comes with focusing on the next game and what’s important now and how to win the day.”
Young look for Auburn: Williams' former teammate at Alcovy, Meagan Tucker, is one of several freshmen playing key roles for Auburn.
Tucker, a point guard, has played in 19 games, with five starts, for the Tigers. She has season averages of 20.3 minutes, 3.4 points and 2.6 assists.
Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said she knew she would have to rely heavily on freshmen this season. The sixth-seeded Tigers have three first-year players averaging at least 20 minutes per game.
“We have needed them to step up and give us some scoring and some valuable minutes,” Williams-Flournoy said. “Brandy (Montgomery) has given us that scoring. Meagan (Tucker) has played well for us at the point guard position. Katie (Frerking) has been a hustle player and can get a shot, and Khady (Dieng) has really stepped up. Right now is the time you need them to play at their best.”
Auburn (16-13, 7-9) has lost three of five games since scoring an upset victory at then-No. 16 Vanderbilt on Feb. 13. The Tigers are coming off a 73-71 overtime defeat at last-place Ole Miss on Sunday.
LSU has struggled with large deficits early in games.
“What I told the team was, ‘Whatever you are doing right now, change it. Listen to a different song, eat different food,’” Williams-Flournoy said. “Playing from behind takes too much energy (and) you never know that will happen. Let’s just not put ourselves in that situation.”
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