By: Nicholas Pursley

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Alabama Crimson Tide spoiled Senior Night for the Texas A&M Aggies in a double-overtime thriller on Sunday, 81-79. 

Alabama’s star duo of Megan Abrams and Brittany Davis combined for 58 points in the win. 

It really was a tale of two halves. 

The Crimson Tide struggled on the boards in the first, allowing the Aggies to grab nine offensive rebounds. They would turn those rebounds into nine second chance points. 

Poor shooting from both teams kept Alabama within three headed into the second. 

Texas A&M would continue their fantastic rebounding, having 30 boards to Alabama’s 14 going into the half. 

20 of the Aggies first half points came in the paint, as foul trouble on the post players forced the Tide to bring in players off the bench. 

Despite shooting an ice-cold 28.6% from the field (8-28), Alabama’s grit kept the game within nine points going into the locker room. 

Davis struggled early, scoring just three points on 1-10 shooting going into halftime.

In her postgame comments, head coach Kristy Curry said that at halftime she challenged the whole team to do better, especially regarding their effort. 

The players sure did listen. 

After a Texas A&M three to open the third, Alabama would go on a 7-0 run. Abrams would score nine points in the third, and Davis would score eight including a pair of threes. 

The Tide would head into the fourth down just one point. 

Davis would explode in the fourth, scoring 13 points on perfect shooting from the field (5-5) that included a trio of threes. 

Abrams hit a layup with just one second remaining in the game that seemed to seal the win for the Tide, but a defensive miscue would give A&M’s Aaliyah Patty a wide open layup that sent the game to overtime. 

The Aggies led 72-67 with just 1:26 to go in OT, but Hannah Barber would knock down a three pointer to get the Tide within two. 

Abrams would tie the game for the Tide at the free throw line after being fouled, and both teams would miss chances to go up or win the game. 

Davis would knock down two more threes in the second overtime, and Alabama would hang on to win the game. 

Alabama shot 57.8% from the field in the second half, following their ice cold start.

The Crimson Tide’s red hot shooting enabled them to win, despite being out rebounded 54-42, including giving up 20 offensive rebounds to the Aggies. 

The Tide also caused Texas A&M to commit 19 turnovers, and scored 14 points from those mistakes. 

Davis scored 29 of her 32 points after halftime, also tacking on six boards for Alabama. 

“Unbelievable third and fourth quarter by her, especially in a game where it was so so tight and every play mattered,” said coach Curry after the game. 

Abrams continued her monster scoring run, putting up 26 points as well as eight rebounds and three steals. 

JaMya Mingo-Young put together another solid performance with 11 points on 50% shooting (5-10), 10 rebounds and four assists. 

Texas A&M had four players in double digits, led by Senior guard Qadashah Hoppie who had 16 points. 

Forward Aaliyah Patty grabbed 12 rebounds for the Aggies. 

Alabama improves to 14-11, 5-9 in SEC play, while Texas A&M drops to 14-12, 4-10 in SEC play. 

Alabama will look to ride their momentum as they head to Baton Rouge to take on No. 11 LSU on Thursday Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. CT. 

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