No. 20/21 Alabama Closes Non-Conference Play with 93-46 Victory over Jacksonville
12/29/2024 2:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide moves to 13-1 marking the best start to a season in program history
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 20/21 Alabama women's basketball team secured its 13th victory of the season after defeating Jacksonville, 93-46, Sunday in its final non-conference matchup of the 2024-25 campaign. With the 47-point victory, the Crimson Tide's 13-1 record is the best start to a season in program history.
Aaliyah Nye led the way on offense, setting a new career high of 30 points, while tying her own Alabama record with eight made three-pointers, shooting 8-of-10 from deep. Along with Nye, the Crimson Tide's starting five combined to score 67 of the Tide's 93 points. Eris Lester added 14 points off the bench for her fourth double-digit scoring game of the year. Green (13 points) scored in double figures for her ninth consecutive game, as Barker (12 points) picked up her 13th double-digit game this season.
The Tide dominated on defense, limiting the Dolphins to just 46 points, marking the fourth game this year UA has held an opponent under 50 points. Lester paced the Tide on the glass with eight rebounds, while Weathers forced five turnovers, recorded four steals and tallied a block.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Comments
"I think it's always important to come back from Christmas break and have an opportunity to play before the SEC slate begins. I thought our players had a really good day on Dec. 26th, a not so good day on the 27th and a better day on the 28th. Today, we got off to a sluggish start, but pretty much for 35 minutes, I was really pleased with our energy and effort. [Jacksonville is] a team that shoots 27 free throws a game, and we only put them on the free throw line eight times, and then we made 15 of 20. You always want to make more than your opponents shoot. And then we out-rebounded them by seven. Their two strengths are their aggressive spirit on the offensive end – getting to the free throw line and their ability to get offensive put backs, so I thought we did a really good job in those two areas."
Game Notes
- Alabama improved to 7-0 at home on the season, finishing non-conference play unbeaten in Coleman Coliseum for the third consecutive season
- Nye's 30 points set a new career high as she sank eight three-pointers to tie her school record for made threes in a game
- The Crimson Tide dominated down low, grabbing 40 rebounds and scoring 30 points in the paint
- Strong ball movement on offense helped contribute to the UA's 47-point victory, as the Tide finished with 20 assists on 32 buckets
- Alabama forced Jacksonville to 24 turnovers to outscore the Dolphins 32-7 in points off of turnovers
- UA shot 54 percent from the floor (32-59), 54 percent from deep (14-26) and 75 percent from the line (15-20)
- In comparison, JU shot 30 percent from the field (18-61), 36 percent from three-point range (5-14) and 63 percent from the charity stripe (5-8)
How It Happened
- Alabama took an early lead after four starters scored eight of the Crimson Tide's first 10 points of the game (10-4)
- However, Jacksonville went on a 9-5 run to close out the opening quarter (15-13)
- Alabama found its offensive groove in the second frame after going on a 12-3 run, featuring a trio of three-pointers by Aaliyah Nye
- Following the media timeout, the Crimson Tide used an 18-8 run to enter half time with a sizeable lead (47-24)
- Alabama gave up just 11 points in the second quarter while scoring 31
- Sarah Ashlee Barker got out to a hot start in the third quarter, scoring seven of Alabama's first ten points of the frame
- Following a pair of threes from Barker and Nye and five-straight made free throws, the Crimson Tide's lead grew to 40 points (69-29)
- Following a three-pointer at the buzzer by Diana Collins, Alabama maintained a large lead at the end of the third period (76-40)
- Aaliyah Nye sank her career-high tying eighth three-pointer with over five minutes remaining in the matchup
- The Crimson Tide closed out the day by trading baskets and holding its lead for the victory (93-46)
Up Next
- Alabama welcomes Florida to Coleman Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 2, to open Southeastern Conference play
- The battle between the Crimson Tide and the Gators will tip off at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+
