Trailing 16 at the end of the first quarter and 10 at the half, the Alabama women’s basketball team
showed incredible resilience but ultimately fell short on the road against rival Auburn 78-65 Sunday
afternoon.

“We fell a little short,” said Kristy Curry.

“I thought we dug ourselves a really big hole, but I thought down the stretch when we took the lead, we missed a three or two, here, there, but credit Auburn, they were able to make enough plays down the stretch.”

Leading by one heading into the fourth quarter, Alabama allowed Auburn to form a lead once again with
the Tigers beginning the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run. Auburn’s defense took their play to another level
holding Alabama to 14 fourth-quarter points and just 28.6% from the field.

After outscoring Auburn 45-28 over the second and third quarters, Alabama allowed 28 fourth-quarter
points. The Crimson Tide had no answer for Honesty Scott-Grayson as she scored nine of her 19 in the
final period.

Although Alabama ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, this game shows the fight and belief
these players have in each other.

Alabama fell behind early, allowing Auburn to take control in the first quarter. The Tigers shot 9/13 in
the first quarter including two three-pointers. Auburn guards Kaitlyn Duhon and Grayson combined for
12 of the Tiger’s 22 first-quarter points as they built a 22-6 lead.

The Tigers implemented a highly aggressive defensive attack that flustered Alabama early on. The
Crimson Tide committed eight first quarter turnovers while shooting just 3/11 from the field. Auburn
denied passing lanes while also providing heavy pressure on ball handlers. Alabama was rushed and out
of sync.

However, Alabama guard Jessica Timmons took things into her own hands in the second quarter, willing
the Crimson Tide back into the game. After scoring just two points in the first half, Timmons erupted for
14 second-quarter points that included a pair of triples. With the Auburn defenders refusing to allow
Alabama to pass the ball, Timmons was one-on-one multiple times and took advantage.

Coming out of halftime, Alabama finally looked like they had found their footing. Down 44-32, the
Alabama offense started to flow. Their balance on offense led to a 17-4 run to capture the lead 49-48.
Guards Aaliyah Nye, Loyal McQueen, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Timmons, and Center and center JeAnna
Cunningham all scored during their run.

In the end, Alabama faltered in the fourth quarter with the struggles in the first quarter reappearing late
in the game. A couple of errant passes and run-out layups for Auburn sealed the loss for the Crimson
Tide, but with 10 games remaining on the schedule Alabama still has plenty of time to grow.

Overall, Alabama was led by Timmons who finished with 26 points, and Barker who scored 10. McQueen
scored nine of her own while Essence Cody and Nye contributed six.

Alabama will return home to face the Kentucky Wildcats next Sunday at 4 p.m. Central Time looking to end their three-game losing streak.