Bama Central

Alabama Women’s Basketball Bounces Back For Festive Home Win: Roll Call, Dec. 16, 2024

Your daily briefing on what's going on with Alabama athletics, including how to watch the Crimson Tide.

Christopher Walsh

Alabama women's basketball forward Aaliyah Nye (32) dribbles the ball against Murray State at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Sunday, Dec 15, 2024.
Alabama women's basketball forward Aaliyah Nye (32) dribbles the ball against Murray State at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Sunday, Dec 15, 2024. / Alabama Athletics
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Sarah Ashlee Barker had 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals, and Zaay Green nearly matched her with 20 points and four assists as the Alabama women's basketball team bounced back from its only loss of the season with a home win against Murray State, 90-63.

Aaliyah Nye (14) and Essence Cody (11) also had double-digit games for the Crimson Tide (10-1) at Coleman Coliseum on Sunday. Alabama forced 16 turnovers and led by Cody's four tied its season high for blocked shots with 12.

“Proud of our response after finals," head coach Kristi Curry said. "As a coach, I think you try and adjust, and work and adapt on how we can put them in the best position to be ready for today. We looked like we might have been studying there for a few more extra minutes in the first quarter, but I thought for the majority of the game we held a team that's averaging 91 (points). Our goal was in the 50s. I think with four [minutes] to go, we had them in the fifties. So I’m really proud of our defensive effort. Everything starts for us when we can get stops and get our transition game going. Really proud of our team today, collectively, for a 40-minute effort.”

Guard Halli Poock led Murray State (5-3) in scoring with 17 points .

The Crimson Tide is off until playing in the West Palm Beach Classic next weekend. It'll open the tournament against Michigan State on Friday at 3:30 p.m. CT

Crimson Tide Schedule:

No games scheduled for Monday

Crimson Tide Results:

Women's basketball: Alabama 90, Murray State 63

Did You Notice?

  • Former Crimson Tide safety Brian Branch had a whopping 15 tackles, including two for a loss, for the Detroit Lions. His previous career-high was 11 set last season against the Atlanta Falcons.
  • Arizona Cardinals tackle Jonah Williams had a rare touchdown by an offensive lineman when he recovered a fumble in the end zone against the New England Patriots. It was his first career NFL touchdown.
  • Jerry Jeudy topped 1,000 receiving yards in a season for the first time, and also 4,000 career yards. However, his 108 receiving yards in 11 catches weren't leading all former Crimson Tide players this week heading into Monday night's games, albeit barely. DeVonta Smith was credited with 109 yards on 11 receptions, but had a touchdown. It was Smith's first 100-yard game this season with the Eagles.
  • Remember Jerome Ford, the running back who transferred to Cincinnati in 2020? This was an impressive touchdown for the Cleveland Browns:

See Also Bama in the NFL, Week 15 Tracker: Top 5 Career Passing Ratings by Crimson Tide QBs

On This Date in Crimson Tide History:

December 16, 1988: Award-winning linebacker Derrick Thomas had a whirlwind day, traveling to Cincinnati to accept the trophy as CBS's Defensive Player of the Year and then Washington, D.C. to accept the Pigskin Club's Award as the nation's best lineman/linebacker. The subsequent day he returned to Tuscaloosa to travel with the team to El Paso for the Sun Bowl, where Alabama would face Army.

— Bryant Museum

Crimson Tide Quote of the Day:

“[While accepting the Butkus Award:] I just want to thank God for blessing me with some athletic talent and letting me play for the University of Alabama.”

- Derrick Thomas

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Christopher Walsh
CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.

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