In the first game of the SEC tournament, the Alabama women’s basketball team fell to LSU, 58-49. Alabama, who came into the tournament as the 12th seed, now falls to 15-15 on the year overall. LSU, the 13th seed, advances to the next round of the tournament to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.
Sophomore Meoshonti Knight led the way for Alabama, scoring 15 points in the loss. LSU got a big performance out of junior Alexis Hydern, who scored 20 points and collected nine rebounds.
“I think you have to credit LSU on a day like today,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. “I thought their energy on defense was outstanding. I thought Alexis Hyder completely dominated us inside.”
Alabama and LSU traded baskets early in the game, with the Tigers taking a 12-11 lead heading into the end of the period. Alabama was able to regain the lead in the second, up 24-22 heading into half time after a three-point play from senior Nikki Hegstetter.
The game remained close until LSU put together a run near the end of the third quarter to lead by seven. Sophomore Hannah Cook drained a three-pointer near the end of the period to cut the lead to four, and LSU would go into the final quarter with a 36-32 lead.
LSU came out in the fourth looking to extend its lead and did just that. The Tigers would hold off multiple attempts at a come back from Alabama to hang on to a seven-point victory.
Curry said coming into the game that Alabama would need to knock down open shots against LSU’s zone. In this game, Alabama shot just 30.2 percent from the field for the game.
Alabama is now eliminated from the SEC tournament and will have to wait to see if the team gets selected for a postseason tournament.
