Alabama Women's Basketball Clinched Second Win of the Season on T

The Alabama Crimson Tide women's basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat the McNeese State Cowgirls on Thursday, pulling away in the second half for a convincing 64-44 victory.

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"I’m really proud of our team. I thought we stayed together when it got hard, and we embraced that. I loved the grittiness, the toughness and the character down the stretch against a McNeese team that’s so well-coached," said head coach Kristy Curry following the victory. "I think they have a chance to win their league, without a doubt. We did a better job at three key stats. Only had eight turnovers in the second half, which is still too many. We always want to keep it less than 13 total.”

Alabama opened the game with energy. After winning tipoff, Essence Cody scored a second-chance effort, rebounding her own missed shot. This followed by a quick basket from Ta'Mia Scott, giving the Crimson Tide a 4-0 lead. The Crimson Tide's defense held the Cowgirls scoreless until the 4:58 mark when the Cowgirls finally put two points on the board.

Out of a timeout, the Cowgirls tied the game at 4-4 and began to find an offensive rhythm. The Crimson Tide introduced Ace Austin and Eris Lester, both making their regular-season debuts. However, the Cowgirls went on a run to take an 11-4 lead before Cody responded with a 3-pointer to attempt to stop the surge. Lester added her first two points of the season, but the Cowgirls forced the Crimson Tide's ninth turnover, closing out the quarter ahead 13-9.

Cody again opened the scoring in the second quarter, but the Cowgirls quickly answered to maintain control. Turnovers continued to plague Alabama, and the Cowgirls capitalized, extending their lead to 23-15 midway through the period. The Crimson Tide struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm until Karly Weathers hit a 3-pointer, followed by Jessica Timmons scoring her first basket on the night off a turnover. Weathers added two free throws to close the gap to 24-22, but the Cowgirls answered back with another basket and a pair of free throws in the final minute. Diana Collins hit a timely 3-pointer for Alabama with 30 seconds left, but the Cowgirls went into halftime leading 29-25.

After halftime, Alabama looked like a different team. Cody nailed two free throws early to narrow the gap, and Austin added her first points of the season from the line to tie it 29-29. Weathers followed with a clutch 3-pointer to give Alabama its first lead since the opening quarter. Austin extended the advantage with a mid-range jumper, and Cody added another basket as the Crimson Tide went on a 7-0 run out of the break. Alabama's defense stiffened, holding McNeese to limited chances while continuing to attack the paint. Austin and Cody combined to stretch the lead to double digits, as Alabama closed the quarter leading 45-36.

The Crimson Tide maintained full control in the final quarter, limiting McNeese to just two points through the first three and a half minutes. Cody added another free throw before Scott scored a quick basket in transition to make it 48-40. Alabama continued to pour it on, finishing strong on both ends of the court to secure a 64-44 victory.

"Anytime you can hold someone to 15 points in the third and fourth [quarters], [it] speaks volumes about effort, and I’m just proud of those three areas that allowed some separation down the stretch. It’s a 40-minute game, and when we can stay together for 40 minutes, we give ourselves a chance,” said Curry.

Cody led the way with an all-around performance, recording a career-high night with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

Alabama returns to Coleman Coliseum on Monday, Nov.10, hosting Alcorn State T 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.