Alabama
10-4, 0-1
Missouri
13-1, 1-0
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Alabama Women’s Basketball Falls to No. 16 Missouri, 62-56, Sunday in SEC Opener
12/31/2017 5:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide fell to the Tigers despite pulling within three points in the final seconds of the game
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Despite a late push in the fourth quarter, Alabama women's basketball narrowly dropped its SEC opener to 16th-ranked Missouri, 62-56, Sunday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum.
"We just couldn't get our shots to fall today," said head coach Kristy Curry. "We just have to believe that our shots are going to go in. We had a few that rimmed in and out, but we shot well from the free throw line today. I thought that the difference was right before the half when they hit a three that was not a normal shot. We had two other miscues that led to them making a couple extra three-pointers. It's a game of makes and misses, and they made more than we did today."
Alabama (10-4, 0-1 SEC) was in front of No. 16 Missouri (13-1, 1-0 SEC) for the majority of the first quarter but the Tigers soon surged back ahead to a double-digit lead at the half. Missouri controlled the pace for most of the second half but an 11-0 scoring run from Alabama late in the fourth quarter drew the Tide within three. Ultimately, the Tigers held on to claim the 62-56 victory and hand Alabama its first home loss of the season.
Nine different players contributed to the Tide's scoring effort, led by senior Hannah Cook and junior Shaquera Wade with 11 points apiece, while sophomore Jordan Lewis was also in double figures with 10. Wade also led the team's effort at the glass with seven rebounds.
The Tigers scored the first basket of the game on its opening possession but the Tide quickly responded with seven unanswered points to pull ahead 7-2. UA continued to hold the edge, ending the first quarter up 15-12.
A three-pointer by Missouri's Kayla Michael tied it up at 15-15 at the start of the second quarter and the Tigers soon retook the lead at 18-17. Missouri continued to extend its advantage, moving ahead 23-17 before the media timeout at 5:52. Senior Quanetria Bolton ended a five-minute scoring drought for the Tide with a jumper under the basket at 4:12 but a 10-4 scoring run down the stretch by Missouri gave the visitors a 33-23 lead at the half.
In the second half, the Tigers continued to control the momentum seizing a double-digit lead before Alabama cut the deficit to 46-37 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
Trailing by 14 with just under four minutes left to play, Alabama made a late push to pull back within eight points thanks to a 6-0 run, which forced Missouri to take a timeout. The run continued after the break, with a layup from senior Coco Knight and a three-pointer by Cook to make it a three-point game. A late foul on a three-point attempt allowed Missouri to shoot three free throws and sophomore Jordan Chavis connected on all three to extend the lead to 60-54 with 15 seconds left. Two more points for each team brought the score to 62-56, which proved final.
Next, Alabama opens the New Year with a trip to Gainesville, Fla., on Thursday, Jan. 4 to face the Florida Gators (8-5, 0-0 SEC). Tipoff at the O'Connell Center is set for 6 p.m. CT.
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