Alabama Crimson Tide got their season underway with a demolition victory over the New Orleans Privateers in the NCAA opener.

The hosts cruised to a 115-53 victory on Monday at Coleman Coliseum, winning every quarter by at least 12 points. Such was their prolific nature, the game marked the first time in three years that the Crimson Tide had scored over 100 points. In another boost to the team, 11 of the 14 Alabama players saw action.

One of those players was guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, who scored 23 points, the second-highest among the team, only behind Aaliyah Nye’s 25. But it was a freshman who caught the eye with her performance, as Eris Lester scored 16 points in her 20 minutes on court, also registering four rebounds and two assists.

Following the game, Barker lauded Lester for her impressive debut as she started her Alabama career off on the right foot. “That kid works so hard,” Barker said of Lester following the win. “All of them work really hard, but (Lester) has worked so hard. She’s in the gym all the time. To see 15 points on her first freshman debut, I was really proud of her for that.”

Lester was one of three freshmen on the Alabama roster alongside Leah Brooks and Chloe Spree. Spree added three points and two assists on Monday and Brooks put up two points with one steal.

Alabama head coach Kristy Curry said about the newcomers seeing time on the court. “It’s really important,” she said. “They got time in the exhibition, they got time in our scrimmage and they get time every day. It’s going to be important as we head into SEC play that they understand the system and continue to develop and grow.”

Eris Lester

Eris Lester enjoyed an exciting debut ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

Curry added: “It’s important that they continue to learn and grow and come out and execute. It’s also interesting because Zay and Diana are new to the system, too, but they certainly are adjusting and adapting and have made us a whole lot better in our back court.”

Following the impressive opener, the hope from Curry is the type of high-level play becomes the norm for the team with the fans getting behind the squad. “I am asking Alabama Nation right now to come back and support us,” Curry said.

“This can’t be just because it is a double-header. These kids deserve for people to be in the stands and that’s my plea. I appreciate everybody that is, but it’s time that Alabama family steps up and comes out and supports us consistently…And we play at 2 o’clock on Sunday against troy and we would really appreciate the support.”