TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 20 Alabama defeated No. 7 LSU, 88-85, in overtime on Thursday Night. Alabama had to fight as hard as they could to stave off the hungry Bayou Bengals’ comeback efforts, but they ultimately were able to hang on to their lead, and narrowly win in overtime.
Thursday night’s win over the Tigers was Alabama’s first ranked SEC win of the season. It was only their second win against a ranked opponent this year, and their first since defeating Michigan State back in late December. Alabama also extends their home winning streak to 4 straight, and picks up their fifth quadrant 1 win. This win was by far the biggest result the Tide have gotten all year.
“I’m just really happy for our kids, you know,” said Coach Curry post game. “The grit, the love, the gratitude, the way they play for the front of their chest, the selflessness. But at the end of the day they all count the same. LSU is no different to me than winning any of the other 16 games.”
The win didn’t come easy for the Tide, however, as a Zaay Green missed jumper at the buzzer sent the game to overtime. Leading scorer for Alabama, Aaliyah Nye, fouled out in the fourth quarter, forcing the Tide to turn to Sarah Ashlee Barker and Zaay Green to close out the win. Barker delivered a few huge buckets, and Zaay hit four clutch free throws down the stretch. Alabama closed out the game with two defensive stops, a block by Essence Cody and a great shot contest by Christabel Ezumah, to hold on for a 3 point win.
“I would say that I’m very proud of my team, and Coach Curry tonight,” Aaliyah Nye said after the win.
“This was a great win today but you still have another one on Sunday,” said Sarah Ashlee Barker. “And we know that if we can go and get that one on Sunday, that it just keeps contributing to build up the case for us to host.”
The officials were extremely active tonight, calling 21 fouls on the TIgers and 18 fouls on the Crimson Tide. There were a number of questionable calls not only late in the game but also early on. Both coaches were visibly frustrated throughout the game with all the stoppages.
“Yes, that was a poorly officiated game,” said LSU head coach, Kim Mulkey. “And I bet if you asked Kristy Curry she’ll tell you the same thing. It wouldn’t matter if we would have won or lost, too much stoppage.”
Aaliyah Nye was once again the go to option for Alabama tonight on offense. Nye had 28 points, most of which came in the second half as LSU was mounting a comeback. Nye was 9/12 from the field and hit 3 big three point shots. She was also a perfect 7/7 from the charity stripe. Nye fouled out deep into the fourth quarter, and was still able to put up terrific offensive numbers once again.
With Thursday Night’s upset win, the Tide improved to 10-5 in the SEC, and 23-6 overall. Whether or not Alabama will secure 5th place or 6th place in the SEC will be determined on Sunday when the Crimson Tide take on the Oklahoma Sooners, who are also 10-5 in conference play. Alabama’s win tonight over a top ten team greatly improves their chances to snag a top 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, which would guarantee that Coleman Coliseum would play host to March Madness basketball.
Coach Curry expressed her excitement for the potential of March Madness games at home.
“We deserve to host, we continue to win, but at the same time this fan base is going to get behind us. I just want to hug every single neck that came out tonight for a late tip,” Curry said.
The Crimson Tide are back in action for their regular season finale in Norman Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. central time. Alabama will face No. 13 Oklahoma for the first time this year, with the five seed in the SEC tournament on the line.
