TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (11-18-2007) ? Arkansas State freshman Angie Criner scored a game and career-high 17 points, and ASU forced 32 Alabama turnovers as the Lady Indians (2-1) defeated the Crimson Tide 49-45 Sunday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Arkansas State led by 11 at 47-36 with 7:04 to play, but did not hit another field goal in the game. Two free throws from junior Brittney Hiles with 11 seconds remaining secured the win for the Tribe.
“It wasn't pretty at the end, but we figured out a way to win it,” said ASU Head Coach Brian Boyer. “From about the four minute mark on, all we needed was one possession right, and we got it, and that was Brittney Hiles knocking down two free throws with 11 seconds remaining.
Alabama (0-3) led by a basket, 25-23 at halftime, after leading by as many as eight in the first half. Arkansas State led 12-8 in the early going before the Crimson Tide went on a 17-5 run to go up 25-17 with 3:13 to play before halftime, but the Lady Indians finished the half with a 6-0 flourish to draw within two at the break.
Arkansas State opened the second half with a 6-0 run to take a 29-25 lead before Alabama bounced back to take a 32-31 advantage on a jumper by Dedrea Magee with 14:41 to play. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Veronica Smith and Caroline Starr, along with a steal and layup from Hiles at the 13:07 mark put the Lady Indians back on top and gave ASU its largest lead to that point at 39-32.
The Lady Indians built their lead to double-digits at 47-36 on a steal and layup from Criner with 7:04 remaining, then held on for the victory.
In addition to Criner's 17 points, the Lady Indians also got seven points and three steals from Jazmine Taylor, five each from Smith and Ebonie Jefferson, and four from Hiles. Starr added three points, and Ashley Anderson, Rachel Baker, Shay Scott and Kayla Pospisil all scored two points each.
ASU is 5-1 vs. teams from the Southeastern Conference under Boyer, winning the last five matchups. After losing to Ole Miss during the 2000-01 season, ASU defeated Ole Miss in 2001-02, then defeated Mississippi State and Arkansas in the WNIT Tournament in the 2004-05 season. Last year, the Lady Indians opened the season with a 73-56 win over Alabama.
The Lady Indians return to the ASU Convocation Center Tuesday, Nov. 20 for a 7:05 matchup against Missouri State.
