On Sunday, the Alabama women’s basketball traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee to take on traditional powerhouse Tennessee in its third matchup against a top-25 in just as many games. Alabama, who has played on the road in three of its last four games, fell to the no. 19/23-ranked Volunteers 70-42 for its fourth straight loss to end the month of January.
That marks the 49th time out of 51 tries that Tennessee has defeated Alabama, is the Lady Volunteers are undefeated when the Crimson Tide travels to Knoxville. After the loss, Alabama now falls to 13-9 overall and 2-6 in conference play, while Tennessee improves to 13-8 overall and 4-4 in league games.
Alabama started out neck and neck with Tennessee, only trailing by three at the end of the first quarter, 15-12. Tennessee kept its lead throughout the second quarter, ending the half on an 8-0 run, giving it a 14-point lead at 34-20 until Alabama knocked down a pair of free throws to make the score 34-22 at the halftime
Coming out of halftime, Alabama cut the deficit to 11 points when sophomore Meoshonti Knight hit back-to-back baskets with just under eight minutes left in the third quarter. From then on, it would be all Volunteers, as the team scored 10 unanswered points to gain a 47-26 lead. Tennessee would take a 51-35 lead into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Tennessee continued to stretch its lead out to as many as 30 after squaring 17 straight in the fourth. Alabama cut the lead down by two points to 28, but Tennessee would keep the margin at that to take the victory.
Alabama was unable to convert on many of its shot attempts, only shooting 27.5 percent (14-51) from the field. Tennessee was a little more fortunate, shooting 44.3 percent (27-61), while having 22 assists on its 27 made baskets.
“I think the game came down to a presence in the paint,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. “Credit their front line. I thought they were really, really good today on both ends of the floor. We just weren’t able to counter with bodies today. We will continue to work in recruiting and continue to get better.”
Knight lead the team in scoring for the day, finishing with 11 points while also grabbing a team-high five rebounds. Tennessee had two sophomore players finish with double-doubles, Jaime Nared recorded 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Mercedes Russell scored 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
Alabama will continue SEC play with a home game on Feb. 4, against Ole Miss, to begin a string of back-to-back home games.
