Alabama
14-11,4-8SEC
Georgia
14-11,5-7SEC
Alabama's Comeback Attempt Falls Just Short in Overtime Against Georgia, 76--75
2/16/2020 4:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide trailed by 22 in the third quarter before storming back
ATHENS, Ga. – After trailing 47-25 in the third quarter, Alabama stormed back and tied the game at the end of regulation before falling to Georgia in overtime, 76-75, on Sunday afternoon inside Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga. The Crimson Tide (14-11, 4-8 SEC) and Lady Bulldogs (14-11, 5-7 SEC) have gone to overtime in four of their last five meetings.
Redshirt junior Jordan Lewis tied her career high with 25 points to go along with four assists and four steals. Sophomore De'Sha Benjamin scored all 15 of her points in the second half and was crucial at the end of regulation. Seniors Cierra Johnson and Ashley Knight, along with junior Jasmine Walker each had 10 points in the loss.
From Coach Curry
- "I didn't think we defended very well in transition to start," said head coach Kristy Curry. "I thought our kids adjusted in the second half and stayed positive. Georgia shot the ball well to start the game and I give them credit, but man our kids really fought and gave it their all. That was tough at the end there."
Quarter-by-Quarter
- The two teams battled back-and-forth to start the game before the Lady Bulldogs went on an 11-2 run to close out the quarter to go up 19-12.
- Georgia continued to put up points in the second period and outscored the Crimson Tide, 22-13, to take the 41-25 lead into the halftime break.
- UGA started the second half with a 6-0 run to take the 47-25 advantage with 8:53 to go in the frame. The Tide started to turn it on and chipped away at the deficit closing it to 57-50 heading into the final 10 minutes of action.
- UA pulled within three points to start the fourth, before Georgia went on a 6-0 run to make it 63-54 with 6:08 remaining. Alabama raced back with a 9-0 run of its own and tied the game after Benjamin drained a three to knot it up at 63-63 with 1:45 on the clock.
- Georgia took the lead two more times over the final minutes, when Benjamin tied it up twice. Her jumper in the paint with 18 seconds to go made it 67-67 as the teams went to overtime. Alabama took the 75-74 lead with 1:13 remaining after Lewis converted the old-fashioned three-point play. The Lady Bulldogs added two free throws with 51 seconds to seal the win.
Player Spotlight
- Lewis converted 9-of-11 free throws on her way to a season-high 25 points, while tying her career-high after playing 43 minutes.
- Knight provided quality minutes off the bench with her 10 points and three blocks. Alabama's all-time shot blocker led the team with a 21 plus/minus.
- After the first 20 minutes of play Benjamin was 0-of-3 from the floor before finishing with 15 points and six rebounds, including scoring the final seven points for the Tide.
Key Stats
- The Crimson Tide shot 47 percent (25-of-53) from the field, while outrebounding the Lady Bulldogs 38-34.
- The Alabama bench scored 23 points compared to UGA's nine bench points. The Tide's reserves have only been outscored in one game this season.
Up Next
- Alabama will return home to face the Florida Gators on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT inside Coleman Coliseum. The game between Tide and Gators will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
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