Alabama Women’s Basketball Keeps on Rolling

TUSCALOOSA, Ala- No.19 Alabama women's basketball keeps on rolling, achieving a 2-0 start in Southeastern Conference play with a 68-49 victory over the Missouri Tigers on Sunday. The team managed this win without graduate guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, who is currently a day-to-day decision due to a lower leg injury sustained during Alabama's 79-69 triumph over Florida on Thursday.

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This marks the first time since the 2003-04 season the Crimson Tide has opened conference play with two consecutive wins. The Tigers came out determined, launching a 9-2 run with about four minutes remaining in the first quarter after both teams exchanged baskets. However, Alabama responded with a 9-0 run in the final three minutes, ending the first quarter with a 15-11 advantage.

In the second quarter, both teams showed strong defensive play, but the Crimson Tide managed to pull ahead, leading by five points at the second-quarter media timeout. With effective ball movement, the Crimson Tide assisted on four of its last nine made shots, maintaining a 32-20 lead and closing the half with a solid 12-13 performance from the free-throw line.

Zaay Green ignited the offense at the start of the third quarter, scoring the first nine points for the Crimson Tide while shooting 4-5 from the field. The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 19 points in the final three minutes of the third quarter, adding a perfect 4-4 from the floor.

The Crimson Tide continued to dominate in the fourth quarter, leading by 30 points (64-34 with 4:45 left) before finishing with a 19-point victory.

“I just couldn't be more proud of our team today. I thought we really stepped up in a big way on the defensive end, on the boards and being the aggressor and converting and getting to the free throw line. I mean tremendous effort from so many people on the defensive end that you can always control how hard you defend and rebound. An unbelievable effort today and being 2-0 in the league defending your home court. I’m really proud of our leadership. I thought Aaliyah [Nye] and Karly [Weathers] and Zaay [Green] were unbelievable with their voices. And I’m just really proud," said coach Kristy Curry following the win. 

Game Highlights

• The Crimson Tide dominated in the paint, outscoring Missouri 32-20 and securing 37 rebounds
• They capitalized on the Tigers' 20 turnovers, scoring 18 points off those mistakes
• The Crimson Tide achieved its fourth-best-free-throw percentage of the season, hitting 82% (19-23) from the line
• Sophomore Diana Collins and graduate JeAnna Cunningham made their first career starts for Alabama. Cunningham recorded a season-high six rebounds and matched her best scoring output of six points
• Zaay Green not only led the team in scoring but also set a personal best with three blocks. Additionally, she achieved her sixth game of 20 or more points this season with 23
• The Crimson Tide shot 40% from the field (23-55), 33% from beyond the arc (5-15) and maintained an 82% free-throw rate (19-23). In contrast, the Tigers' managed 34% shooting from the field (16-47), 25% from three-point territory (3-12), and also shot 82% from the line (14-17)
• Nye contributed 11 points for her sixth consecutive game in double figures, while Essence Cody added 10 points, marking her 10th double-digit scoring game of the season. Weathers led the team with seven assists and had a remarkable plus/minus of 28 while on the court.
• Cody (7), Cunningham (6), and Christabel Ezumah (6) helped Alabama secure 37 rebounds, including 15 offensive boards, marking the ninth game this season with 12 or more offensive rebounds. Nye also recorded two steals, extending her streak of three consecutive games with a steal.

Up Next

The Crimson Tide is set to visit the Texas Longhorns on Jan. 9 for their first SEC road game of the season.The matchup will begin at 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on SEC Network+.