Aaliyah Nye’s Hot Shooting Pushes Alabama Past Mississippi State, 87-75
2/25/2024 8:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide takes sole possession of fifth place in the Southeastern Conference with the victory
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's basketball team downed Mississippi State, 87-75, behind a career-day for Aaliyah Nye on Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum. Nye led all scorers with a career-high 28 points and tied the single-game program record with eight three-pointers made in the win.
In addition to her outstanding performance, Nye broke the program's single-season record for threes made (currently at 100). She is the sixth player in Alabama basketball history (men's or women's) to reach the century mark.
Sarah Ashlee Barker also contributed to the offensive performance as she earned her third double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Essence Cody (15) and Jessica Timmons (12) also turned in double-digit scoring efforts.
With the win, Alabama (21-8, 8-6 SEC) is now in sole possession of fifth place in the Southeastern Conference, trailing Tennessee by one game.
Mississippi State (20-9, 7-7 SEC) was led by Jessica Carter, who scored 18 points and collected 14 rebounds.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Postgame Comments
"I'm so proud of our team today. Just a great win against a well-coached, unbelievably talented team. For our kids to just step up the way they did today and have the balance, toughness, grit and intestinal fortitude, to put four quarters together the way that we did and score 87 points, I'm just so proud of their effort today. We have every opportunity in front of us – our goal is to be a top-four seed in the SEC Tournament and that hope is still alive."
Game Stats
- With her second three-pointer, Aaliyah Nye broke the single-season program record for three-point field goals made
- Alabama connected on 46 percent (16-35) of its shot attempts in the first half, including five three-pointers
- UA scored 23 points off Mississippi State's 18 turnovers
- Sarah Ashlee Barker collected her 10th game with 20-or-more points, while earning her third double-double of the year
- Alabama shot 51 percent (36-71) from the field, 44 percent (10-23) from three-point range and 63 percent (5-8) from the line
- The Crimson Tide converted on a season-high 36 field goals
- The Bulldogs connected on 46 percent (26-57) of attempts from the floor, 37 percent (7-19) from deep and 84 percent (16-19) at the stripe
How It Happened
- Both offenses were clicking in the early stages of the game, scoring a combined 34 points by the first media timeout
- Alabama connected on four three-pointers in the first five minutes of the contest
- The Tide closed the opening frame on a 7-0 run to take a 25-18 lead into the second
- UA shot 50 percent (10-20) from the field in the first quarter -Alabama extended its lead to nine points in the early minutes of the second quarter, but the Bulldogs responded with a 14-2 run to take a three-point lead
- The Crimson Tide answered with a run of its own, converting on four-of-seven field goal attempts to close the half
- Alabama took a 40-37 lead into the locker room -Nye led all scorers with 16 first-half points on 5-10 shooting (4-8 from three)
- The back-and-forth battle continued into the third quarter, with two lead changes and two ties in the first four minutes of the half
- After falling behind in the third quarter, Alabama came alive, outscoring Mississippi State, 19-11, over the final six minutes of the quarter to take a 66-55 lead into the final frame
- Barker and Nye combined to score 21 of the Tide's 26 third-quarter points -The Crimson Tide outscored the Bulldogs, 21-20, in the fourth quarter
Next Up
- Alabama hosts the Florida Gators for Senior Night on Thursday, Feb. 28
- The regular-season home finale will tipoff at 6 p.m. and will air on SEC Network+
For all the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaWBB on X, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on X and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
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