Alabama
12-15, 4-10SEC
Georgia
17-10, 8-6SEC
Alabama Battles, Comes Up Short Against Georgia In Overtime, 76-67
2/24/2019 8:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Junior Cierra Johnson recorded her first career double-double in the loss
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Despite an 11-point fourth quarter comeback, the Alabama women's basketball fell to Georgia in overtime on Senior Night, 76-67, on Sunday evening inside Coleman Coliseum. With the loss, the Crimson Tide drops to 12-15 and 4-10 in SEC play, while the Lady Bulldogs improve to 17-10 and 8-6 in SEC action.
"I loved the fight," head coach Kristy Curry said. "I told these two kids next to me (Taylor Berry and Shaquera Wade) that I thought that was as good of a performance from two seniors on senior day, I just hate we couldn't finish it off for them today. I thought they were just incredible with their energy and their decision making and their effort and how they helped our team. We just weren't able to get a play here or there down the stretch."
The Tide was led by junior Cierra Johnson's first career double-double, as she scored 23 points and added 12 rebounds to go along with five assists. Senior Shaquera Wade totaled 19 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Ariyah Copeland added 10 points and six rebounds.
Both offenses came out of the gate hot as Georgia jumped out to a 13-10 lead at the game's first media timeout. The Crimson Tide got a steal and fast break layup from Johnson with 41 seconds left in the first to grab a 19-18 lead after one quarter of action.
After Georgia opened the quarter on a 7-2 run to take a 25-21 lead early in the second, Johnson drained a deep three-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer and cut the Bulldogs' lead to 25-24 with 6:12 to play in the period. Georgia would finish the half on a 9-2 run to take a 34-27 lead into the halftime break.
Both teams would trade baskets throughout the third quarter, with Alabama unable to cut significantly into the Georgia lead. The Lady Bulldogs held a 49-40 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
After UGA scored the first bucket of the fourth, the Crimson Tide would respond with a 7-0 run to force a Georgia timeout and cut the deficit to 51-47 with 7:11 left to play. The Tide answered with four straight points from Wade to knot the game up at 51 with 6:08 remaining.
After a 6-0 spurt put the Lady Bulldogs up 57-51, Johnson converted an old-fashioned three-point play to cap a 7-0 run and give the Tide a 58-57 lead with 2:21 left in the game.
Georgia would miss a floater as the clock ran down and an Alabama rebound would keep the game locked at 59-59 at the end of regulation.
The Lady Bulldogs would outscore Alabama 17-8 in the overtime period to grab the 76-67 win.
Alabama and Georgia each pulled down 41 rebounds while, the Crimson Tide shot 75 percent (18-of-24) from the free throw line.
The Tide will return to action for its final home game of the season on Thursday, Feb. 28 when it takes on Ole Miss inside Coleman Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on SEC Network +.
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