TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Strong ball movement and teamwork propelled the Alabama Crimson Tide women's basketball team to a 72-57 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs on Sunday evening at Coleman Coliseum.

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In the opening quarter, the Bulldogs secured the tip-off, but the Crimson Tide quickly applied defensive pressure, forcing a traveling violation. Essence Cody opened the scoring with a layup, putting the Crimson Tide ahead 2-0. With the shot clock winding down, the Crimson Tide's precise passing set up Sarah Ashlee Barker for a 3-pointer, extending the lead to 5-0 with just under seven minutes remaining. The Bulldogs answered with a layup, but Aaliyah Nye responded with back-to back 3-pointers, pushing the score to 11-2.

The Crimson Tide maintained its intensity after a timeout, with Cody scoring another layup and converting a free throw to make it 14-2 with 4:42 left in the quarter. The Bulldogs managed to add two points, but Zaay Green quickly countered with a layup assisted by Barker. The Bulldogs then scored a layup and a free throw, narrowing the gap to 16-7 with under four minutes to go. Diana Collins entered the game and showcased her aggressiveness with a layup. Nye hit another 3-pointer, bringing the score to 21-7 with about two and a half minutes remaining. The Bulldogs responded with a layup, but Collins answered with a basket of her own, making it 24-9 with 1:29 left. After a timeout, the Bulldogs attempted to score but was unsuccessful, allowing Green to race down the court for a layup, increasing the lead to 26-9. The Bulldogs managed to add two points before the end of the quarter, closing it at 26-11.

The Crimson Tide started the second quarter with possession, aiming to score through a pass but ended up turning the ball over. The Bulldogs took advantage, drawing a foul and converting a free throw. Barker then added two points with an assist from Karly Weathers, bringing the score to 28-14. Both teams displayed aggressive play, resulting in several missed shots, but Cody managed to increase the lead to 31-14 with a layup and a free throw at the 7:56 mark. After a brief lull in scoring, Nye hit a clean 3-pointer, making it 34-15. With around five minutes left, Cody went one for two at the free-throw line. Nye showcased her skills, leaving a defender behind with a jump back for a layup, extending the score to 37-15 with four minutes remaining. Following a timeout, Asia Avinger of the Bulldogs sank a 3-pointer, with the score now 37-17 with 3:43 on the clock. Weathers then drew a foul, converting both free throws to push the lead to 39-17. Collins executed a spin move that left her defender off balance, completing a layup reminiscent of Ryan Williams' spin move against the Bulldogs in September at Bryant Denny. As the clock wound down, Nye hit another 3-pointer, bringing the score to 46-2, and capped off the half with another three just five seconds before the buzzer, extending the Crimson Tide's lead to 49-22 as they headed to the locker room.

The Bulldogs received the ball to begin the third quarter but failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Cody quickly answered with a layup, increasing the lead to 51-22 as the half concluded. Myah Verse of the Bulldogs contributed two points, bringing the score to 51-24. A turnover by the Crimson Tide allowed Avinger to score another two points. The teams traded baskets, resulting in a score of 53-31 with 6:45 remaining. Following a media timeout, Cody drew a foul and converted two free throws making it 55-31. The Bulldogs added two more points after another timeout, narrowing the gap to 55-38. JeAnna Cunningham then scored two points with an assist from Barker, and Avinger followed up with another two for the Bulldogs, pushing the score to 57-40 with 3:12 left. A turnover by the Crimson Tide led to another two points for Avinger. The quarter concluded with the Crimson Tide leading 57-42.

In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs gained possession and quickly drew a foul, with Roxane Makolo converting a free throw. Cody then responded by drawing a foul, contributing to the score, followed by a two-pointer from the Bulldogs, bringing the tally to 59-45. A jump shot from Barker extended the Crimson Tide's lead to 61-46 with 6:54 remaining. Both teams traded baskets and free throws, resulting in a score of 64-47 with 4:55 left on the clock. After a timeout, Nye missed both free throws, the Bulldogs secured the rebound and added a two-pointer. Nye then made up for her earlier misses by assisting Cody for another two points. Collins followed suit, increasing the score to 68-49 as a timeout was called with 3:52 to go. Eris Lester scored a layup, and Verse added another for the Bulldogs, making it 70-51. As the game neared its conclusion, Lester scored two more for the Crimson Tide, finalizing the score at 72-57.

GAME NOTES:

  • The Crimson Tide scored 26 points in the first quarter, its most in Southeastern Conference play this season
  • In addition to her eight assists, Barker added nine points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks
  • Nye finished the contest hitting 8-of-14 shots from the field including going 6-of-10 from deep and added 22 points
  • Cody recorded a double-double, scoring 17 points, while recording a season-high 13 rebounds
  • The Crimson Tide controlled the scoreboard for the majority of the afternoon, leading by as many as 29 points without ever trailing
  • Alabama shot 52% from the floor (26-of-50), 40% from deep (8-of-20) and 66% from the line (12-of-18). In comparison, Georgia shot 36% from the field (24-of-66), 12% from 3-point range (2-of-16) and 58% from the charity stripe (7-of-12).

Alabama will travel to Gainesville, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 6 to take on the Florida Gators. The game is set for 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network.

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Gallery Credit: Wyatt Fulton

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