Alabama WBB Defeats Stetson in Season Opener, 82-73

The Alabama women’s basketball team commenced its 2025 season this evening in Coleman Coliseum, securing an 82-73 victory against the Stetson Hatters.

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Alabama's starting lineup featured Diana Collins, Essence Cody, Karly Weathers, Jessica Timmons, and Ta'Mia Scott. After three departures from last season, Weathers and Cody retained their spots from last year's lineup. Collins transitioned from a bench role, Timmons retuned after recovering from a season-ending knee injury, and Scott debuted with the Crimson Tide.

Alabama won the tipoff, with Timmons scoring the first points of the regular season in her return. The Hatters challenged early, leading 16-8 at the first media timeout, with all of Alabama's points coming from Timmons, who shot 2-for-4 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. The Crimson Tide responded with a 7-0 run, as Weathers and Scott scored their first points. Despite this, the Hatters closed the first quarter with a 24-23 lead.

The second quarter saw both teams trading baskets, with Alabama taking a 33-32 lead with 4:44 remaining. Stetson answered with a 4-0 run and capitalized on 7-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc to lead 36-33. Alabama led Stetson 43-42 at halftime, with Timmons leading the Crimson Tide with 13 points.

At halftime, Alabama held a slight edge in rebounds (18-17),  while Stetson led in blocks (3-0), Alabama recorded five steals, compared to Stetson's three. Alabama shot 33.4% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range.

Timmons opened the second half with two points, pushing Alabama to a 45-42 lead. Stetson responded, keeping the score close at 45-44 with under nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. Both teams engaged in a shootout, and Alabama led 54-52 at the third media timeout. Despite Timmons' 17 points, Stetson maintained their 3-point efficiency, making 10-of-16 attempts. The quarter concluded with a 62-62 tie, setting the stage for a competitive final quarter.

Stetson scored to began the fourth quarter, but Collins answered with a 3-pointer, making it 65-64. The game was tied 66-66 with 7:20 remaining, as both teams displayed strong defensive efforts. With under four minutes to play, Alabama held a narrow 72-71 lead. Weathers added a pair of free throws, extending Alabama's lead to 74-71 with approximately two and a half minutes left. In the final minutes, an assist from Weathers to Cody, two points from Stetson, a foul on Stetson that sent Weathers to the line (1-2), a 3-pointer from Weathers, Timmons 21 points on the night, and a turnover leading to two points for Alabama contributed to the chaotic sequence that resulted in an 82-73 victory for Alabama.

Alabama starts the season 1-0 and will host McNeese on Thursday, November 6, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.