Alabama women’s basketball extended its win streak to four games in Coleman Coliseum Thursday night with a hard-fought 72-56 victory over one of the three teams in the No. 2 spot in the SEC, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the Crimson Tide’s annual Power of Pink game.
Over 2,600 people attended Thursday night’s game as Alabama honored those battling breast cancer by donning pink uniforms.
“It means a lot,” guard Aaliyah Nye said in Tuesday’s press conference. “It just reminds us that there are other women out here fighting, and we just play the game of basketball, and it’s so much bigger than basketball. I think these women, they fight every single day, and we get to just play the game. And I think it just reminds us to just appreciate that we get this opportunity.”
Before the game, head coach Kristy Curry was honored with membership to the 500-win club and joined a group of 10 other coaches in women’s basketball history with over 100 wins at three different institutions. However, she expressed discomfort with the spotlight being on her.
“When something like this happens, I don’t want any of this to be about me,” Curry said. “I didn’t even want to do anything before the game, and then they told me I had to. You know, at the end of the day, it’s so much bigger than just one person.”
Thursday’s game was incredibly physical, noted by Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker’s brief exit after a hard hit. Despite this, the Crimson Tide managed to limit Tennessee’s scoring. The Lady Vols entered the game averaging 78 points a game, but only scored 56 Thursday night.
With Barker struggling on the offensive side of the court Nye became the offensive spark, scoring 23 of Alabama’s 72 points, . Tennessee also had to contend with guard Jessica Timmons, the game’s second-highest scorer, with 14 points.
“Obviously, we knew this was going to be a tough game,” Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper said. “Alabama has done a great job of being consistent on both ends of the court. They’ve got a lot of different folks who can make shots and make plays.”
The first quarter swayed in Tennessee’s favor as the Lady Vols dumped two uncontested 3-pointers onto Alabama. Still, 3-pointers from critical players like Nye and Timmons propelled Alabama back into the lead to end the first quarter 16-14.
Tennessee couldn’t overcome the Crimson Tide’s advances, and its slight lead in the first quarter ended its reign for the night. The Lady Vols almost mounted a late-stage comeback at the start of the fourth quarter after a 10-point run.
Two timeouts from Alabama and the energetic crowd in Coleman Coliseum helped the Crimson Tide stall Tennessee’s attempt at a comeback win.
After the game, Curry couldn’t thank the fans that were in attendance enough.
“They were amazing,” Curry said. “Every time Tennessee would make a run and we would come back and answer, their energy was incredible. I thought we really fed off the crowd. I cannot thank them enough to come out tonight and support us for our pink game, but we need them back in here every single night.”
The team will hit the road toward Baton Rouge for a redemption game against the Tigers on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN2.
