Alabama Knocks Out Auburn in First Round of SEC Tournament
After falling behind in the second half, the Alabama women’s basketball team battled back, earning a 75-68 win over Auburn in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
“We had some early adversity with foul trouble, but I thought our kids just stayed the course,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. “Love the grit, love the toughness down the stretch… to have four in double figures on a day where we were saddled with foul trouble, I was just really proud with how our team stayed together.”
Auburn started the game going up 8-3, but hot shooting sparked by Alabama’s Allie Craig Cruce put the Tide up, 22-15, at the end of the first quarter. After only making four three-pointers throughout the entire season, Cruce knocked down three triples in the opening quarter.
The Tide stretched the lead out to nine with 3:56 left in the second quarter, but the Tigers cut the deficit to four, 35-31, at the break.
After both teams went back-and-forth to start the second half, Auburn went on a 10-0 run, gaining a 43-40 lead with 5:22 left in the third quarter. Both teams scored 10 each in the latter half of the quarter, as Auburn took a 53-50 lead into the final frame.
Things did not look good early for the Tide in the fourth quarter as starting point-guard Hannah Barber picked up her fourth foul. Alabama responded going on a 13-3 run, building a 63-56 lead with 5:14 left in the quarter. After an Auburn push, Brittany Davis connected on a three-pointer, giving Alabama its largest lead in a while, 68-60, with 2:11 left in the game.
Alabama hit crucial free-throws down the stretch, holding on for the 75-68 win.
Four Alabama players scored in double figures including Megan Abrams (25), Brittany Davis (15), JaMya Mingo-Young (14), and Allie Craig Cruce (14). Davis and Mingo-Young both recorded double-doubles.
Up next, Alabama faces the No. 6 seed, 24th-ranked Georgia in the second round on Thursday. The Bulldogs defeated the Tide in Athens in lone the regular season matchup, 72-68.
Tipoff in Bridgestone Arena is set for 8:30 p.m. CT.
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