TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It was going to take a monumental effort for Alabama to take down undefeated LSU. And for a minute, it looked as if it might be possible.
Sarah Ashlee Barker was playing incredibly physical defense against Angel Reese, the crowd was as loud as they’d been all season, and for just a moment the Tigers looked vulnerable.
But after a close first quarter, LSU would score 28 points in the second, capped off by a crushing three-point buzzer-beater from Jasmine Carson.
The onslaught would continue from there, as Alabama simply couldn’t maintain their opening physicality against LSU’s relentless physicality.
By the final buzzer, LSU had handed Alabama their worst loss of the season: 89-51.
“The biggest positive that we can take away from tonight is that it’s over at midnight,” said head coach Kristy Curry.
Despite holding Angel Reese to 14 points – albeit her 19th straight double-double – three other LSU players scored 17 or more points.
“We’ve got to step up and make some open looks,” Curry said.
The Tide had an “uncharacteristic” night on offense. They struggled to finish at the rim (19-65, 29.2%) and couldn’t make up for it from deep (5-27, 18.5%).
Even the Tide’s leading scorer Brittany Davis was able to muster just 11 points, often being guarded by Reese.
“At the end of the day, you just have to make shots. They did, we didn’t. Makes the difference,” said Curry.
Injury Report
One thing that certainly didn’t help the Crimson Tide was the absence of Megan Abrams, JaMya Mingo-Young and Khyla Wade-Warren.
Warren was ruled out for the season on Monday before the game, while Abrams continues to rehab an unknown injury. Mingo-Young has yet to rejoin the team.
Up Next
Alabama falls to 15-5 with the loss. The Crimson Tide will now head on the road to take on Arkansas (17-5, 4-3 SEC) Thursday, Jan. 26.
Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
