Alabama
23-6,10-5SEC
LSU
27-3,12-3SEC
No. 20/20 Alabama Upsets No. 7/7 LSU, 88-85
2/27/2025 11:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide captures its first victory over an AP Top-10 team in 13 years
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 20/20 Alabama women's basketball team led for more than 40 minutes before needing overtime to hold off No. 7/7 LSU, 88-85, Thursday night in front of a raucous crowd inside Coleman Coliseum. Aaliyah Nye (28) and Sarah Ashlee Barker (21) combined to score 49 points to lead the Crimson Tide to its 23rd win of the season and 10th SEC victory.
Alabama (23-6, 10-5 SEC) was in control throughout a majority of the contest, leading for over 40 minutes compared to LSU (27-3, 12-3) who owned the lead for just 23 seconds. Despite the Crimson Tide's effort, the Tigers clawed back from a 10-point deficit (67-57) in regulation and outscored UA 22-12 over the final 8:25 to force overtime at 79-apiece.
In the overtime, despite losing Nye and Barker who both fouled out, Alabama outscored LSU 9-6 behind Zaay Green dropping five of her 15 points in the extra period. Essence Cody also finished in double figures with 17 points on the night to go along with six boards and five blocked shots. Karly Weathers added a team-leading nine rebounds to go with three assists and two steals.
Mikaylah Williams finished with 22 points to lead LSU, while Aneesah Morrow added 16 and a team-high nine rebounds.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Comments
"I'm just so proud of this team tonight. They've worked so hard to put themselves in a position to win down the stretch and we seized the opportunity. We continue to take advantage of opportunities and we control what happens next."
Game Notes
- The contest marked Alabama's first overtime game of the year and first since 2022 at Texas A&M (Feb. 20, 2022)
- Alabama's win snaps a four game losing streak versus LSU, recording its first win over the Tigers since the 2020-21 season
- Four UA players scored in double figures (Barker, Cody, Green and Nye), improving Alabama's record to 12-0 on the season when that mark is achieved
- The win marked the Crimson Tide's highest ranked win and first top-10 victory since 2012 (def. then-No. 7 Kentucky on Feb. 16, 2012)
- Aaliyah Nye recorded her second consecutive game with 25-plus points, scoring 28 while shooting 9-of-12 on the night, including 3-of-4 from deep and a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line
- Alabama shot 46 percent from the floor (32-of-69), 33 percent from deep (7-of-21) and 73 percent from the line (17-of-23)
- In comparison, LSU shot 45 percent from the field (34-of-74), 33 percent from three-point range (3-of-9) and 60 percent from the charity stripe (14-of-23)
How it Happened
- Both squads traded baskets through the first two minutes before Alabama went on an early 9-0 run over 2:23 to take a 14-5 lead at the first media timeout
- Following the break, the Crimson Tide kept its distance on the scoreboard, following back-to-back buckets by Alliyah Nye and a three from Diana Collins to make it a 23-16 game at the end of the quarter
- The Alabama defensive intensity picked up in the second quarter, forcing the Tigers to turn it over three times in the first three minutes
- Capitalizing off the defensive momentum, the Crimson Tide lead bloomed to a 13-point margin with 5:40 remaining in the second quarter (34-21)
- Alabama closed the half hitting four of its last five shots, putting the Crimson Tide ahead by double-digits at the half (46-35)
- The Crimson Tide defense forced six turnovers in the second quarter alone
- Alabama missed its first eight field goals to open the third quarter meanwhile, the Tigers cut the Crimson Tide lead down to five at the 4:19 mark (50-45)
- Nye chipped in seven of Alabama's last nine points of the third quarter, as Curry's squad remained ahead 60-54
- Picking up where she left off in the fourth period, Nye caught fire and scored nine straight points for Alabama, bringing her total to 28 with 4:50 left to play
- Following a quick 6-0 LSU run, the Tigers made it a one-point game with 3:26 to play (73-72)
- With the score tied at 79-79, Alabama's Zaay Green had a chance to win the game in regulation but her shot was off the mark to force the overtime
- Green (5) and Barker (4) led the charge for Alabama in overtime, combining for all nine points with just over a minute remaining
- Seeking a go-ahead bucket with less than 10 seconds remaining, LSU attempted a potential game-winning layup that was blocked by Essence Cody, her fifth of the night
- The Tigers missed its final shot of the night as Alabama came away with the 88-85 victory
Up Next
- Alabama will travel to Norman, Okla., to face No. 13/13 Oklahoma in its final game of the regular season on Sunday, Mar. 2
- Tip off between the Crimson Tide and Sooners is set for 1:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network
