SAN ANTONIO – Jordan Lewis had a career-high 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to help seventh-seeded Alabama beat No.
10 seed North Carolina 80-71 on Monday in the first round of the women's NCAA Tournament. It was a triumphant return to the NCAAs for the Crimson Tide (17-9), who were playing their first game in the tournament since 1999.
The Crimson Tide made eight straight trips to the NCAAs from 1992-99 that included a run to the Final Four in 1994. Alabama built a 29-19 lead midway through the second quarter behind Lewis before the Tar Heels (13-11) cut it to 31-29 with 3:09 left before the half.
The Crimson Tide responded scoring 10 of the next 12 points to take a 41-31 lead at the break. Lewis had five points during the