Alabama Women’s Basketball Hosts Houston in WNIT Sweet 16

The Alabama women’s basketball team hosts the Houston Cougars in the third round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament on Thursday night.

“We need a huge crowd Thursday night to pack Coleman Coliseum at 6 p.m. as we take on a really good Houston team in the Sweet 16 of the WNIT,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. “Just pleading for everybody in Tuscaloosa to come out, the girls and I need your support on Thursday night.”

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Alabama (19-13, 6-10 SEC) will be playing at home for the first time since senior day on Feb. 27. After the SEC Tournament, the Tide played its first two games of the WNIT on the road at Troy and at Tulane.

“I think our players are really excited for the opportunity just to be at home,” said Curry. “We feel like it’s been amazing just to witness the toughness, togetherness and the fight that this team has had on the road, and my challenge to them is to bring that same fight, toughness and grit home and let’s defend our home court.”

In the second round, Alabama defeated Tulane 81-77 on Monday night. Four Alabama players reached double figures in the game and the Tide shot 50 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Houston (18-15, 7-9 AAC) defeated Tennessee Tech in its second round matchup 63-55, in a game where the Cougars saw three players reach double figures.

This won’t be the first time that these two squads face off on the hardwood this season. Alabama and Houston met on Dec. 3 inside of Coleman Coliseum where the Tide came away with a 77-67 victory. The Tide held a 25-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars battled back, outscoring the Tide 19-4 to end the game.

Tickets are $5 for the general public and students that attend will receive free pizza. The game can also be seen on the SEC Network Plus.