TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - February 18th, 2024
Alabama women's basketball rallied to pull out a 67-61 victory over Auburn Sunday afternoon inside Coleman Coliseum. With the victory, the Crimson Tide improves to 20-7 on the season and 7-5 in Southeastern Conference play.
The Tide, down 10 to start the fourth quarter, tied the game up at 57-57 with 3:20 left to play before UA outscored the Tigers 10-4 down the stretch to secure the six-point win.
Sarah Ashlee Barker, who surpassed the 1,000-career points mark with her game-high 26 points and seven rebounds, led the fourth quarter comeback, scoring 10 in the final frame. Aaliyah Nye (17) and Jessica Timmons (13) also scored double-figures with Timmons and Barker pacing the Tide with seven rebounds apiece.
Auburn (16-9, 5-7 SEC) was led by JaMya Mingo-Young with 14 points, four rebounds, six assists and one steal.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Postgame Comments
"Just really want to say thank you to our crowd. I thought they were the difference down the stretch and it was an incredible environment. I appreciate everyone who came out on a pretty, sunny day with baseball and softball also playing today. We need everybody back in here next Sunday at 4 p.m.
"I'm proud of our kids for the resiliency and grit that we showed down the stretch. It says a lot about them and the decision we made with eight minutes to go, we made the decision to defend a little better and find ways to be the aggressor. I think they [Auburn] are one of, if not, the best defensive team in our league. Unbelievable effort and an unbelievable game, but the grit and toughness out of Alabama today was the difference down the stretch."
Game Stats
With her seven first-quarter points, Sarah Ashlee Barker reached the 1,000 career points milestone
Aaliyah Nye converted on four three-point field goals, bringing her season total to 91, which is tied for second in program history
Sunday marked the first time this season Alabama has won after trailing with five minutes to go in regulation
Barker scored 19 of her team-leading 26 points in the second half
Alabama shot 41 percent (24-58) from the field, 33 percent (7-21) from range and 67 percent (12-18) from the line
In comparison, the Tide defense limited Auburn to 45 percent (24-53) from the floor, 29 percent (4-14) from deep and 60 percent (9-15) from the stripe
How It Happened
Alabama allowed Auburn to cut a seven-point lead to a one-point lead in the waning minutes of the first quarter before Jessica Timmons made a last-second field goal to extend UA's lead to three (21-18) headed into the second quarter
The Crimson Tide struggled offensively in the second quarter, going 3-of-14 while being outscored 19-to-8, which allowed the Lady Tigers to take an eight-point lead (37-29) into the locker rooms
Auburn led 17-4 in bench points at the intermission
UA cut the lead to one out of the locker room, but Auburn went on an 8-0 run extend its lead to 10 points (52-42) headed into the final frame
Barker scored nine of the Tide's 13 points in the third quarter
After tying the ballgame up at 57-57 with 3:20 left in regulation, the Crimson Tide outscored the Tigers, 10-4, to earn the six-point comeback victory (67-61)
Next Up
Alabama will travel to Columbia, S.C., to square off against No.1/1 South Carolina Thursday night inside Colonial Life Arena
The Crimson Tide and the Gamecocks will square off at 6 p.m. CT with the contest airing on the SEC Network
For all the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaWBB on X, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on X and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.