Alabama
Texas A&M
Comeback Falls Short for Women’s Basketball Against No. 3 Texas A&M, 73-67
2/25/2021 8:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Crimson Tide outscored Aggies 23-11 in the fourth before running out of clock
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama women's basketball battled back to chip a 21-point deficit down to five late in the fourth, however the Crimson Tide would come no closer with time running short in the 73-67 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M on Thursday. UA heads into the final game of the regular season with a 15-7 overall record and 8-7 mark in Southeastern Conference play, while the Aggies improve to 21-1 on the season and 12-1 against league opponents.
Jordan Lewis led the way offensively with a game-high 21 points, while Jasmine Walker recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Ariyah Copeland added 13 points and six rebounds, and Destiny Rice played a solid 20 minutes off the bench recording 10 points and a career-best seven rebounds. Megan Abrams and Hannah Barber added 6 points each, while Abrams added four assists and five rebounds to the mix.
The Tide outrebounded the Aggies, 37-32, and had 10 three-pointers in the game. Texas A&M was able to score 36 points in the paint and took advantage of its 12 trips to the free throw line, making 11.
Head Coach Kristy Curry said:
"This was a really tough one. I really love our kids' fight down the stretch. It all started with Jordan [Lewis] being really aggressive and attacking, making tough shots and plays. I loved the fact that our kids, down the stretch, found a way to come back when we dug ourselves a big hole. You just can't dig yourselves a big hole against a team like Texas A&M. A credit to them, they had great balance and great impact. We outrebounded them and did some good things. We just cannot finish a second quarter the way we did. I'll blame myself a little bit for that - not calling a timeout and having the right combination in, and Ariyah has to stay out of foul trouble. We had a lot of yuckiness tonight, but our kids continued to respond with great energy. That was a heck of a comeback. We just fell short."
How It Happened
- Alabama kept the Aggie lead tight at two points in the first half of the first quarter.
- Lewis ended the Tide scoring drought in the final two minutes of the first quarter making the score 19-14.
- Alabama started off the second quarter on a 10-0 run that spanned over two minutes to take a 26-23 lead.
- The Aggies responded by going on a 13-0 run in the final three minutes of the half, widening the lead by 13, 42-29.
- An opening three-point basket by Barber closed the gap to 10 points, however Texas A&M responded with 11 unanswered.
- Alabama began to close in on the Aggies halfway through the final quarter after going on an 8-0 run for over two minutes.
- The Tide cut it to five off a three from Lewis with 1:25 to go but would come no closer for the duration of the contest.
News and Notes
- Walker recorded her 12th double-double of the season and 22nd of her career.
- Lewis drew her seventh 20-plus point game this season, all of which have come in SEC play.
Next Up
- Alabama travels to No. 16/16 Arkansas in the Tide's final regular season game of the 2020-21 season on Sunday.
- Tip is set for 5 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
