Alabama Women’s Basketball Drops Heartbreaker to Kentucky

The Alabama women’s basketball team (12-11, 3-9 SEC) battled all four quarters, but ultimately fell to the Kentucky Wildcats (10-11, 3-8 SEC), 67-63, inside of Coleman Coliseum on Sunday.

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“Just credit Kentucky, I thought they were able to make a few plays down the stretch and we were not,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry.

Alabama started the game off hot with an 11-2 run, but the Wildcats clawed back and cut the lead down to one, 20-19, at the end of the first quarter. Both squads struggled to hit shots in the second quarter, leading to a Kentucky 29-28 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, both teams put up 16 points giving the Wildcats a narrow, 45-44, lead heading into the final frame.

After going back and forth in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats were finally able to build a two possession lead, 60-56, with 2:28 left in the game. Megan Abrams scored the next five points for Alabama cutting the Kentucky lead to, 62-61, with 1:22 left.

After trading baskets, Abrams had a layup blocked with 24 seconds left, forcing Alabama to foul. Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard hit three free-throws in the end, securing the 67-63 win.

Three Alabama players scored in double figures including Megan Abrams (21), JaMya-Mingo Young (16), and Brittany Davis (12).

Kentucky was led in scoring by Dre’una Edwards (24).

On a positive note, the Tide held Rhyne Howard, potential No. 1 WNBA draft pick, to just nine points.

“We were able to limit her touches and when she did touch we were having it come out of her hands,” said Coach Curry.

Up next, Alabama hosts No. 13 Tennessee on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 6:00 p.m. CT on the SEC Network Plus.