TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Interstat) — The Alabama women’s basketball team remained undefeated Tuesday night, using a dominant first half to overwhelm Sam Houston 73-36 at Coleman Coliseum.

The Crimson Tide, now 12-0, seized control early with a suffocating defensive performance, holding the visiting Bearkats to just 18 points in the opening half while building a 47-18 lead. Alabama’s 26-point second quarter effectively put the game out of reach before halftime.

Sam Houston, which fell to 5-3, struggled to find any offensive rhythm against Alabama’s length and pressure. The Bearkats were held to single-digit scoring in two of the first three quarters and finished with more turnovers than made field goals.

The most important part of the game was Alabama’s immediate and overwhelming defensive intensity from the opening tip. The tone was set on the very first possession when Naomi Jones won the jump ball and scored a layup just 20 seconds into the game. Alabama’s defense then forced Sam Houston into a series of rushed shots and turnovers, sparking a 21-10 first-quarter advantage. This early surge, fueled by defensive stops and transition opportunities, established a commanding lead that Sam Houston never challenged, allowing Alabama to cruise to its 12th consecutive victory.

Jones, a 6-foot-4 forward from Jackson, Alabama, was a force inside for the Crimson Tide, finishing with 11 points and three blocked shots in just 17 minutes. Her presence anchored a defensive effort that recorded nine blocks and limited Sam Houston’s interior scoring.

Alabama’s offense showcased its balance, with five players scoring in double figures. Ta’Mia Scott led the way with 12 points, two assists, a block and a steal. Ace Austin also scored 12 points, while Jessica Timmons and Lourdes Da Silva Costa added 11 and nine points, respectively. Da Silva Costa also contributed three assists.

Sam Houston was led by Deborah Ogayemi, who scored 14 points. The guard from Waterford, Ireland, was the only Bearkat to reach double figures. Aysia Ward-Strong added five points.

The Crimson Tide shot efficiently from the field while Sam Houston’s shooting percentages were hampered by Alabama’s consistent defensive pressure. The Bearkats also committed 22 turnovers, which Alabama converted into 28 points.

Attendance was 2,224.

Alabama, which entered the game with a 99.4 percent probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, will look to extend its perfect start when it hosts Tulane on Wednesday. Sam Houston returns home to face SMU on Friday.

The game was never in doubt after the first quarter, as Alabama’s superior depth, size, and defensive execution proved too much for a Sam Houston team that had won five of its last six games coming in. The Crimson Tide’s unbeaten record will face its toughest test yet when it opens Southeastern Conference play on the road against South Carolina on Jan. 1.