Alabama
20-8,9-6SEC
Florida
15-13,4-11SEC
Alabama's Comeback Falls Short in 81-77 Loss to Florida
2/23/2023 8:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide had four players record double figures in a game for the eighth time this season
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A second-half comeback fell short for the Alabama women's basketball team as the Crimson Tide dropped an 81-77 decision to Florida on Thursday.
Four players recorded double figures in the game with Brittany Davis' 16-point, eight-rebound performance pacing Alabama (20-8, 9-6 SEC). Hannah Barber and Aaliyah Nye both tallied 15 points as Barber also recorded five assists. Sarah Ashlee Barker added 10 points and three steals to the loss.
Florida (15-13, 4-11 SEC) was led by a 22-point game from KK Deans. Lelani Correa had 12 points while Ra Shaya Kyle had 14 points and seven boards and Nina Rickards had 11 points and five boards in the win.
Alabama Head Coach Kristy Curry Said
"It's really hard to turn it over at the rate we did and then also give up that many offensive rebounds. I think both of those led to 37 points. When you score 77 you expect to win, but I think it was the turnovers and the second chance points that kind of took a toll in the end. Can't put somebody on the free throw line 36 times either. I think those three categories, we obviously have to coach it better. We have to do a better job of trying to get them to figure this out. I do want to end with every opportunity is right in front of us. With a win on Sunday, you are still in a position for that fourth seed. We have played two teams lately on Senior Day. Man, that entire roster has really stepped up for those seniors. Those seniors have come to play, everybody has come to play for them. We are going to be in the exact same scenario that we've been in the past two games on a Senior Day. (It's) A really special group that means the world to this program. Hope we can go out there the next two days and prepare and be better than we were today and take care of business at home, and we're right back to where we want to be. We control our own destiny."
Game Stats
- Alabama has had four players in double figures eight times this season, including four of the last five games
- With three blocks in the game, Jada Rice moved to third all-time at Alabama in single-season blocks with 62 this year
- Nye has recorded double figures in five of the last six games, while Barker has recorded double figures in three of the last four games
- The Crimson Tide shot 53.2 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from distance
- Florida was 41.4 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from beyond the arc
How It Happened
- Thanks to a three pointer to start the game, Florida held a slight advantage in the opening minutes
- A three-pointer from Aaliyah Nye made it a 12-12 game (5:07), but Florida used a 12-1 run to close the first quarter with a 24-13 lead
- After falling behind by 18 points (43-25), five consecutive points from Hannah Barber made it a 13-point game with 37 seconds to play in the half
- A layup from UF would give the Gators a 45-30 advantage heading into halftime
- Alabama was 40 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from distance, while Florida shot 53.1 percent from the field and 66.7 from beyond the arc
- A trio of threes brought the Crimson Tide within eight points (47-39) at the start of the second half
- Alabama would come within four points thanks to a 9-2 run, but a late three pointer from the Gators pushed UF's lead back out to six (59-52) heading into the fourth quarter
- UA used an and-one layup from Davis and a three pointer from Nye to close the gap to 73-70 with 3:29 to play
- Moments later, a three from Ryan Cobbins would tie the game at 75-75 (2:26)
- The Tide would be unable to overtake the Gators as Florida scored six of the next eight points for the four-point win
Next Up
- Alabama will close the regular season at home on Sunday against Ole Miss
- The two teams will tip off at 2 p.m. CT on SEC Network+
- The Crimson Tide will recognize Megan Abrams, Hannah Barber, Brittany Davis and Jada Rice as part of the team's Senior Day celebration
For all the latest information on the team, follow AlabamaWBB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook
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