LSU crushes Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- If LSU coach Pokey Chatman didn't seemed impressed with Sylvia Fowles' play in Sunday's 61-45 victory over Alabama, it's because she's seen it before.

The 6-foot-6 center had 15 points and 11 rebounds to post her seventh consecutive double-double. She added three blocks and two steals.

"The fact that I'm very seldom pleased with Sylvia is a backhanded compliment to her ability," Chatman said. "A double-double -- 15 points and 11 rebounds -- when you're triple-teamed, is an accomplishment."

Despite Fowles' dominance around the basket, LSU (18-2, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) wasn't able to pull away from Alabama until putting together a 12-0 run in the second half to lead 51-33. RaShonta LeBlanc converted two steals into breakaway layups to cap the run with 6:55 to go.

LSU trailed 10-7 with 12:28 left in the first half and made just five of its first 21 shots before scoring the final six points of the first half to lead 25-16 at intermission. Fowles only got two shots in the game's first 8 minutes before relying on her rebounding to get more involved in the offense.

"That's something I do well," Fowles said. "Once I lock in, there's no stopping that."

Guard Navonda Moore sank a pair of 3-pointers on a spree that saw her score 12 straight for Alabama to cut LSU's lead to 39-33 with 11:25 to go before Porsha Phillips hit a 15-foot jumper to start LSU's decisive run.

Moore scored 17 of her 19 points in the second half.

Alabama (10-11, 0-6 SEC) lost its sixth game in a row.