Alabama's NCAA Tournament Hopes End with Crushing Loss to Georgia

A stingy Bulldogs defense held the Crimson Tide to shoot 38 percent from the field, 28 percent from three-point range, and forced 19 turnovers

Its NCAA tournament aspirations are going to have to wait another year. 

The University of Alabama women's basketball team suffered a heart-breaking, 68-61, loss to Georgia in the second round of the SEC tournament on Thursday afternoon inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C.

Alabama (18-12, 8-8 SEC) could not find a way to stop Bulldogs (17-13, 7-9 SEC) center Jenna Staiti. The redshirt junior finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks. 

Redshirt junior Jordan Lewis led the Crimson Tide with a team-high 15 points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal. Sophomore Brittany Davis followed with 14 points and junior Jasmine Walker finished with eleven points.

“Congratulations to Georgia. It was another close game. They were able to make a few more baskets than we were,” Crimson Tide coach Kristy Curry said. “I thought the difference in the game was the fact that they shot 24 free throws and we shot 12. We just weren't able to adjust, try to turn the corner, get to the free-throw line, convert. We just missed some open shots. Again, it was another well-played game.

"I just want to say I'm really proud of my team. To win seven out of 10 (down the stretch) and eight wins in this league, should get you in the NCAA tournament. And a one-day game shouldn't take away from our body of work. I'm really proud of my kids because they have fought. We played Kentucky, Texas A&M twice. The schedule hasn't been easy to us as far as the two opponents along with Auburn. I just love my kids and I'm really proud of them today. There were a lot of tears in that locker room. I don't want it to take away just one day from what we've accomplished with our body of work, so I'm really proud of them.”

Walker started off hot with a 3-pointer, giving Alabama the 3-2 lead. Georgia responded with a six-point run before junior Ariyah Copeland interrupted with a layup. The end of the first quarter was marked with a six-point run from Alabama, giving it the 16-14 lead.

Sophomore Megan Abrams got things started for Alabama during the second quarter with a layup, pushing Alabama ahead 18-16. Lewis went on a five-point run to increase Alabama’s lead 26-21. Georgia responded with five consecutive points, giving it the 33-30 lead going into halftime.

Georgia increased its lead during the beginning of the third quarter before senior Ashley Knight knocked down two free throws, placing Alabama behind Georgia 43-34. Davis was the last to score for Alabama when she knocked down a layup, decreasing Georgia’s lead 53-46 at the end of the third quarter.

A five-point run by Copeland put Alabama trailing Georgia by seven points at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Lewis drained a 3-pointer before Georgia closed out the game, 68-61.

This story will be updated.