Alabama
15-1,2-0SEC
Missouri
11-6,0-2SEC
No. 19/20 Alabama Claims Sunday Matinee Over Missouri, 68-49
1/5/2025 6:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide remains undefeated inside Coleman Coliseum during the 2024-25 season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A strong defensive performance propelled the No. 19/20 Alabama women's basketball team past Missouri, 68-49, Sunday afternoon inside Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide (15-1, 2-0 SEC) held the Tigers (11-6, 0-2 SEC), which entered the contest ranked as the top three-point shooting team in the Southeastern Conference, to just 25 percent (3-12) from deep.
Playing without leading scorer Sarah Ashlee Barker, who was sidelined with an injury, guard Zaay Green picked up the scored as she recorded her sixth 20-plus point performance of the season, with 23 points. Aaliyah Nye (11) collected her sixth-straight double figure scoring game, and Essence Cody (10) tallied her 10th-double digit scoring on the season. Karly Weathers aided in the Tide's 19-point victory with team-leading seven assists, while posting a plus/minus 28 points when on the court.
Cody (7), JeAnna Cunningham (6) and Christabel Ezumah (6) all contributed to Alabama's 37 total rebounds. The Tide grabbed 15 offensive boards, marking the team's ninth game this year with 12-or-more offensive rebounds. Nye collected a pair of steals on the day to earn her third-consecutive game with a steal.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Comments
"I just couldn't be more proud of our team today. I thought we really stepped up in a big way on the defensive end, on the boards and being the aggressor and converting and getting to the free throw line. I mean tremendous effort from so many people on the defensive end that you can always control how hard you defend and rebound. An unbelievable effort today and being 2-0 in the league defending your home court. I'm really proud of our leadership. I thought Aaliyah [Nye] and Karly [Weathers] and Zaay [Green] were unbelievable with their voices. And I'm just really proud."
Game Notes
- For the first time since the 2003-04 season, Alabama has opened conference play 2-0
- It was announced prior to the contest that Sarah Ashlee Barker would miss Sunday's contest due to a lower leg injury she suffered during Alabama's 79-69 win over Florida last Thursday, Jan. 2
- Alabama controlled the paint, outscoring Missouri 32-20 while grabbing 37 rebounds
- The Tide scored 18 points off the Tigers' 20 turnovers
- UA collected its fourth highest free-throw percentage of the season, shooting 82 percent (19-23) from the charity stripe
- Sophomore Diana Collins and graduate JeAnna Cunningham both made their first career starts for the Tide during Sunday's 19-point win
- In addition to leading the team in scoring, Zaay Green set a career-high in blocks, swatting three shots
- Cunningham grabbed a season-high six rebounds, while tying her best scoring mark on the season with six points
- UA shot 40 percent from the floor (23-55), 33 percent from deep (5-15) and 82 percent from the line (19-23)
- In comparison, Missouri shot 34 percent from the field (16-47), 25 percent from three-point range (3-12) and 82 percent from the charity stripe (14-17)
How It Happened
- Both teams traded baskets until Missouri went on a 9-2 run with about four minutes left in the quarter.
- Alabama responded with a 9-0 run in the final three minutes of the quarter to take the 15-11 lead.
- The Tigers and the Tide picked up the defensive pace in the second quarter, but Alabama took a five-point lead to the second-quarter media timeout.
- Strong ball movement propelled Alabama into halftime, assisting on four of its final nine made shots into halftime
- The Crimson Tide closed the half 12-13 from the charity stripe, taking a 12-point lead to the locker room, 32-20
- Zaay Green sparked Alabama's offense to start the third quarter, scoring the Tide's first nine points of the quarter while shooting 4-5 from the floor
- Alabama's offense extended the to 19 points in the final 3 minutes of the third quarter after shooting 4-4 from the field.
- The Tide would go on to lead by as many as 30 points (64-34 with 4:45 remaining) before settling for the 19-point victory
- Green's efficiency from the field led the Tide's offense in the second half, scoring 16 of her points in the second half
Up Next
- Alabama will face Texas on Thursday, Jan. 9, for its first SEC road contest of the season
- Tipoff between the Crimson Tide and Longhorns is set for 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network+
