Crimson Tide Heads to Auburn for Regular Season Finale
2/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BROADCAST
Sunday's game will air on SEC Network+ with Rod Bramblett (play-by-play) and Joe Ciampi (analyst) on the call. The game can also be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network with Roger Hoover announcing the action. There will be live updates throughout the game available on Twitter @AlabamaWBB.
SERIES HISTORY
Sunday's game will be the 82nd meeting between Alabama and Auburn and will be the second of two games in the series this season. The Crimson Tide has won 36 of the previous games, while the Tigers have claimed 45 wins in the series. Alabama snapped a three-game losing skid to Auburn earlier in the season with a 51-50 victory on Jan. 22, in Tuscaloosa. The Tide's last win in Auburn came on Feb. 17, 2011 by a score of 59-51.
SCOUTING ALABAMA
Alabama has lost its last two games by a combined six points, falling 57-55 to No. 14/16 Mississippi State and 53-49 to Florida, both of which came at home. A win in Sunday's game would give the Crimson Tide the No. 13 seed in the Southeastern Conference Tournament next week, while a loss would put Auburn and No. 13 and Alabama at No. 14. Sophomore Ashley Williams continues to lead the team in scoring (13.4 ppg) and rebounding (6.2 rpg), while redshirt freshman Karyla Middlebrook is the Tide's leader in assists (3.2 apg). Alabama lost senior guard Sharin Rivers in Thursday's game to an ACL tear.
SCOUTING AUBURN
After going winless in conference play through 13 games, Auburn has picked up wins in its last two, beating Georgia, 44-26, and Vanderbilt, 70-58, both of which came on the road. The Tigers are led offensively by junior Tra'cee Tanner and sophomore Brandy Montgomery, who combine for 23 points per game. Tanner also leads the squad in rebounds (5.9 rpg), while freshman Neydja Petithomme collects a team-best 3.1 assists.
THE COACHES
Alabama head coach Kristy Curry has a history of success in her 16 year career. Nine of her teams have made the NCAA tournament, including a trip to the 2001 championship game while coaching at Purdue. With the Boilermakers, she won two Big Ten regular season titles. She holds an overall coaching record of 336-182 and has led nine teams to 20-win seasons. The Tigers are under the direction of third-year head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy, who in her first season at Auburn, reached the quarterfinals of the Women's National Invitation Tournament and the third round in 2014. In her 10 complete seasons as a head coach, Williams-Flournoy has guided her teams to the postseason six times, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in three of those years. Prior to taking over at Auburn, she was head coach at Georgetown from 2004-12. Assistant coaching stops for Williams-Flournoy include Southwest Missouri State (2002-04), Georgia (1996-2002) and Georgetown (1992-96).
LAST MEETING
A last-second block from junior Khadijah Carter helped secure the 51-50 victory for Alabama in the Jan. 22 meeting between the Tide and Tigers. Stifling defense and aggressive play helped Alabama claim the victory, especially late in the game as UA forced four Auburn turnovers in the final 2:41. Alabama had three players in double-figures, led by redshirt freshman Karyla Middlebrook with 12 points and a team-high five assists. Sophomore Ashley Williams added 11, while junior Nikki Hegstetter led the Tide in rebounds with six and added 10 points. The Tide also received big minutes from Carter, who contributed a season-high eight points in the win. The two teams traded baskets in the opening minutes, but 13 unanswered points over a near six minute span game Alabama a 17-6 advantage with 9:30 to play in the half. The Tide led by as many as 15 in the period, however the Tigers would cut that to six at halftime after scoring nine unanswered. Alabama remained on top throughout the second half until a three from junior Katie Frerking gave the Tigers the 47-45 edge with 3:48 to go. Middlebrook then came up big for the Tide with six straight points giving Alabama a 51-47 lead. Tiger sophomore Brandy Montgomery hit one final shot for Auburn with 48 seconds to go before Carter's rejection at the last second.
