Alabama
10-9, 2-4SEC
LSU
12-6, 3-3SEC
Cierra Johnson’s 27 Points Not Enough, as Alabama Falls to LSU, 62-56
1/20/2019 4:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Junior Cierra Johnson tied her career-high with 27 points and went 14-of-16 from the free throw line
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Junior Cierra Johnson's 27 points were not enough to complete the late-game comeback against LSU on Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum, as the Crimson Tide (10-9, 2-4 SEC) fell to the Lady Tigers (12-6, 3-3 SEC), 62-56.
"You have to credit LSU," head coach Kristy Curry said. "Things did not go their way earlier in the week and we had some things going good for us earlier in the week. I was disappointed. I think there is a big difference in today's game, and you look up and your five spot has 27 (points), 11 (rebounds, and five blocks (on Thursday) and today have seven (points), nine (rebounds), and two (blocks)."
"You can't win in this league being inconsistent. As far as our staff, we go back to work and we be persistent and consistent. We prepare. Nothing changes. But something changes individually. They have to grow up and understand that we have to be consistent. I'll do everything I can, but I think we are at a player point where we have some kids that have got to be consistent."
Alabama was led by Johnson, who matched her career-high of 27 points in the loss which included a career-best, 14-of-16 output at the foul line to go along with a team-high six rebounds. Sophomore Jasmine Walker scored 13 points and pulled down five rebounds.
The Crimson Tide and Lady Tigers were both able to find offense early in the game, as Alabama was in front 10-9 at the game's first media timeout. The game would remain tightly contested for the remainder of the period with the Tide carrying an 18-16 lead into the second quarter.
LSU would score the first nine points of the second quarter to grab a 25-18 lead with 4:47 to play in the frame. Alabama would make four of its last five field goal attempts of the period but would be unable to cut into the Lady Tigers' lead as LSU was in front 36-28 at the half.
After the Lady Tigers stretched their lead to 40-28 at the 7:28 mark of the third, the Crimson Tide would respond with a 14-8 run to close the quarter and cut the LSU lead to 48-42 entering the final period.
With LSU leading 57-47 with 5:40 to play in the game, Johnson would net five straight free throws after she was fouled on a three-pointer and a technical was issued to the LSU bench. The 5-0 spurt would shrink the Lady Tigers' lead to 57-52 with 3:37 remaining in the contest.
With 1:57 to go, a layup by sophomore Ariyah Copeland brought the Tide within three points of the Lady Tigers, as LSU was clinging to a 57-54 advantage. The Tide was unable to overcome the deficit as LSU would hold on for the 62-56 win.
The Crimson Tide shot 79 percent (19-of-24) from the free throw line as a team in the game. UA also held the Lady Tigers to just 11 percent (1-of-9) from beyond the arc.
The Tide will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 24 when it travels to Fayetteville, Ark., to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on SEC Network +.
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