TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Crimson Tide Women’s basketball team fell to the Kentucky Wildcats by a score of 68-53 Monday night at Coleman Coliseum
The Tide falls to 11-13 (3-8 SEC) while the No. 17 Wildcats improve to 20-5 (7-4). It is the Tide’s third straight loss and puts their home record at 8-5 on the season.
Bama began play with a back and forth first quarter and played well for the majority of the game aside from turnovers. Jumpers from freshman Megan Abrams and junior Cierra Johnson made it 4-0 early. The pair later connected on an impressive full court inbound to Abrams with 1:51 left to make take the 11-10 lead. Kentucky, however, scored a quick five to end the quarter 15-13.
The Crimson Tide’s turnover count was at its second worst in the opening quarter with seven. Abrams was the Tide’s most consistent player leading the team with 16 points on 6-9 shooting with only two turnovers.
“We have got to understand how important it is to practice like you play,” said coach Kristy curry. “I know that’s an old adage coaches use, but truly you are going to be rewarded every day for how hard you work and how much of a team player you are.”
The Wildcats started the second quarter off hot with a 7-0 run after a three from freshman Rhyne Howard with 8:49 to go leading to a Bama timeout. The Tide was able to get back at Kentucky with a run of their own after being down as much as 27-16. Abram’s midrange jumper made it 26-29 leading to a Wildcat timeout. Alabama closed the half out with a corner three from senior Taylor Berry with 33 seconds remaining as Bama trailed 29-33 at the half.
Things did not look as good for Alabama entering the second half. The Wildcats opened up with a 13-2 run capitalizing off of a turnover heavy quarter from Alabama. The team had nine turnovers in the third and finished with 24 for the game compared to Kentucky’s eight. Despite a 45 percent shooting performance as a team, Bama ended the quarter on 2-10 shooting being outscored 6-19.
“I felt like in the third quarter, the difference was that we lost them in transition and our communication broke down,” said coach Curry. “We turned the ball over too much tonight, and you can’t do that against a team like Kentucky because they will make you pay.”
Entering the fourth down 52-35, the Crimson Tide put up their best quarter, outscoring Kentucky 16-18. Alabama’s tremendous rebounding continued. They outrebounded the Wildcats 40-19 with sophomore Jasmine Walker highlighting the night with her own 12 and 15 performance. Unfortunately, a tight fourth quarter would not get it done for Alabama after their abysmal third quarter.
Alabama looks to end their recent skid on the road against Auburn at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
(Photo courtesy of Alabama Athletics)
