Just a few weeks ago in Coleman Coliseum Alabama led LSU 35-34 at halftime, similarly on Sunday afternoon Alabama led LSU 41-31 at halftime this time in Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Like that matchup a few weeks ago, LSU dominated the third quarter to surge to an 85–66 victory over Alabama.
The Tigers outscored Alabama 54-25 in the second half. Alabama was outrebounded 54-34 and had no answers inside for LSU’s star forward Angel Reese who finished the game with 27 points and 19 rebounds. The Tigers came away with 21 offensive rebounds that resulted in 19 second-chance points.
After holding the Tigers to just 31.3% from the field and zero three-pointers in the first half, LSU shot 51.3% from the floor and added 12 free throws in the second half. Whenever Alabama was able to force a missed shot LSU grabbed back-breaking offensive rebounds. The Crimson Tide exhausted all its energy, but each LSU bucket ignited a lively crowd.
The biggest difference in the second half was LSU’s defensive intensity. The Tigers came out with a full-court press and flustered the Alabama offense for the entirety of the second half. Alabama turned the ball over 12 times in the second half and never had any flow on offense. LSU did an excellent job switching on dribble hand offs and limiting driving lanes. If not for the Crimson Tide knocking down contested three-pointers this game could have gotten even further out of hand.
“Everything that we did well in the first and second quarter didn’t go well in the third and fourth. You just have to credit LSU,” said Alabama Head Coach Kristy Curry. “They made a much bigger run to finish the game than we did to start the game. They were tougher and more physical. They got to the free throw line and annihilated us on the boards and we had 12 second-half turnovers that led to 23 points, and you can’t do that on the road in the SEC.
There were many signs of promise in the first half when Alabama jumped out and maintained their lead throughout the first 20 minutes. Guards Loyal McQueen, Aliyah Nye, and Jessica Timmons led the way getting to the basket but more importantly, knocking down three-pointers.
Defensively in the first half, Reese still had 10 points but Alabama limited LSU’s other playmakers. When shots went up Alabama was much more effective in grabbing rebounds and zooming out in transition. Unfortunately, Alabama could not replicate their first-half performance for the full 40 minutes.
This loss snapped Alabama’s four-game win-streak that began after a loss to LSU. Alabama will look to channel that same motivation to start a new winning streak. Their next matchup will be against Auburn on Sunday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum. With just five games remaining before the SEC tournament, Alabama has a few opportunities to lift themselves firmly off the bubble and lock in their spot for the NCAA Tournament which will begin with Selection Sunday on March 17.
“It’s important that we get home and get on a regular routine and get ready for Auburn. Everything is in front of us,” said Curry. “We’ve had so much positive and I don’t want today to take away from the run that we’re on right now. The only response to today is to learn from it.”
