Alabama
17-12, 5-11SEC
University of Missouri
21-9, 11-5SEC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 9 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 65 |
| Alabama | 7 | 22 | 15 | 12 | 56 |
Alabama Women’s Basketball Falls to No. 24 Missouri, 65-56, in Final Regular Season Game
2/26/2017 5:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Freshman Ashley Knight finishes with four blocks to tie Yolanda Watkins’ single-season record at UA
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama led heading into the final quarter, but a big fourth for 24th-ranked Missouri gave the Tigers the 65-56 win in women's basketball action on Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum. With the loss, the Crimson Tide finishes the regular season at 17-12 overall and 5-11 in Southeastern Conference play, while the win put Missouri at 21-9 and 11-5 against league opponents.
"I thought our kids today really competed," said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. "We just came up short."
Alabama was led in scoring by junior Quanetria Bolton and freshman Jordan Lewis, who finished with 13 points and 12 points, respectively. Bolton also finished with a team-high six rebounds, while freshman Ashley Knight collected four blocks to tie Yolanda Watkins for the most blocks in a single season at Alabama with 68. Watkins record has stood for 23 years as she accomplished the feat during the 1993-94 campaign.
"This is a great honor for her (Ashley Knight)," added Curry. "It's given us a different dimension inside, to be able to overplay on the perimeter and be able to pressure more because we know we've got great help waiting there that can really change things at the rim. I know we will all be excited when she can get that one more block."
The Tigers were led by senior Sierra Michaelis, who had a game-best 22 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, eight rebounds and three assists.
"I'm glad and hope I don't get to see (Sierra) Michaelis anymore," said Curry. She is a great player, and she always does such a great job against us of really knocking down tough shots in tough moments in games, and I think that is a real credit to her today. I thought she was the difference maker for their team down the stretch. Playing well as a senior is what seniors do."
Missouri knocked down the first shot of the game, a three from senior Lindsey Cunningham, and led for the duration of the period. The Tigers pulled in front by as many as four, but a jumper from junior Ashley Williams would cut the Missouri lead to two, 9-7, at quarter's end.
The Tigers scored eight unanswered to start the second quarter, which pushed the lead out to double figures, 17-7. Following a basket from Missouri at the 7:46 mark, Alabama would embark on a 20-6 run to lead by three, 29-26, at the half. During that stretch, Bolton scored eight points for the Tide including a pair of threes and two free throws.
The Tigers briefly took the lead back after sophomore Cierra Porter scored four straight, but a jumper from junior Hannah Cook on the next possession put Alabama back on top. The Tide went on to score 13 of the next 17 points, eight of which came from Lewis, to extend its advantage out to 10. Missouri put up eight straight to end the third, setting the score at 44-42 in favor of Alabama.
The Tigers continued their run in the fourth, scoring five unanswered to lead, 47-44, at the 8:50 mark. Missouri pushed its lead out to seven with 3:54 to play, but Alabama would cut it to two moments later. Michaelis then scored five straight followed by a pair of free throws from sophomore Sophie Cunningham, to seal the victory for the Tigers.
Next up, Alabama heads to Greenville, S.C., for the 2017 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament. Games begin on Wednesday, March 1, at 10 a.m. CT at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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