Alabama
12-5,5-5SEC
Georgia
14-4,6-4SEC
Women’s Basketball Falls in Overtime to No. 25 Georgia, 83-76
2/4/2021 9:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Five of last seven games between Tide and Lady Bulldogs have been decided in bonus period
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the fifth time in the last seven meetings, the women's basketball game between Alabama and Georgia was decided in overtime, with Thursday's matchup going in the 25th-ranked Lady Bulldogs' favor, 83-76. With the loss, the Crimson Tide slips to 12-5 overall and 5-5 in Southeastern Conference play, while the win brings Georgia's record to 14-4 and 6-4 against league opponents.
Alabama had two players record double-doubles as Jasmine Walker finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds while Ariyah Copeland added 17 points and a game-high 14 boards. Jordan Lewis dished out a game-best five assists to go along with her 10 points and six rebounds, and Destiny Rice had another big game off the bench with a career-high 12 points.
It was a game of runs with five lead changes and four ties with both teams' largest lead stopping at eight. The Tide began the night on an 8-0 run before Georgia scored 11 of the next 13 to take its first lead of the contest. UA led 18-15 at the end of the first following a layup from Walker with 27 seconds to go.
In the second, Alabama built up another eight-point advantage, however the Lady Bulldogs would counter and cut it down to one with 1:04 remaining. A three from Hannah Barber closed out the first half scoring and gave the Tide a 35-31 lead after 20:00 of play.
Walker knocked down a three on Alabama's opening possession in the third, but eight unanswered by Georgia gave the Lady Bulldogs the lead at the 8:10 mark. UGA would lead by as many as seven in the quarter before another three from Walker evened the score at 50. The Lady Bulldogs would hold a 53-50 edge after scoring the final points of the frame.
With 4:25 remaining in regulation, Alabama trailed 66-60, however a five-point swing with a layup from Megan Abrams and an and-1 from Walker cut the lead to one. A Barber layup at 3:06 knotted the game at 67 and free throws from Walker at 2:27 gave the Tide a 69-67 lead. Georgia tied the game on its next possession and neither team scored for the duration to send it into overtime.
In the bonus period, the Lady Bulldogs would go on to lead throughout after scoring the first four points.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Said
"That's just two really good teams. It's tough to be on this side of the way the ball bounced down the stretch. I told my team that I was really proud of their effort and how hard they competed. Obviously, there are a few little areas where we need to improve, but I don't think you can fault the effort in that locker room and the emotion I saw in there a little bit ago. We'll pick ourselves up and reset at midnight – the Alabama way. We'll rest, hydrate and focus on nutrition. We'll focus on our conditioning, and we'll be ready to go for next week's opportunity. We can either be frustrated, as I've said, or we can be fascinated and really enjoy the opportunities ahead. A credit to Georgia and what a great game, I'm sure, to watch. I do want to thank our fans for being awesome. We appreciate everybody coming out, and thank you to them for their support."
News and Notes
- Copeland finished the first half with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. The double-double is the sixth of the season for her and 14th of her career.
- Walker's double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds was the 10th of the season for her and 20th of her career.
- Walker has scored 20 or more points in nine games this season and in double figures in all 17.
- Lewis has handed out five or more assist in seven games this season and in three of the last four.
- After scoring 30 points in Alabama's first 14 games this season, Rice has chipped in 29 in the last three games, all of which have been played against ranked opponents.
- The Tide dominated the boards, outrebounding Georgia, 46-34.
Next Up
- Alabama hosts Ole Miss on Thursday, February 11 in Coleman Coliseum for its 2021 Play4Kay/Power of Pink game.
- The game is set to tip at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
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