Alabama Tops Tennessee in Women's Basketball, 72-56

Crimson Tide pulled off win in Power of Pink, Play4Kay Game at Coleman Coliseum.

Looking to extend its winning streak to four games, the Alabama Crimson Tide women's basketball team pulled off a 72-56 home victory over Tennessee on Thursday night. 

Paced by senior guard/forward Aaliyah Nye's 24 points, Alabama improved to 18-6, 5-4 SEC). The Crimson Tide shot 46 percent from the field, compared to Tennessee's 35 percent, and made seven 3-pointers compared to the Vols' three.  

"Just an unbelievable win," Alabama coach Kristy Curry said during the postgame press conference. "I think we showed a lot of toughness and grit, especially when they made that run there and our kids responded all night long and just stayed together. Another big résumé win and I'm just so proud of each one of these kids. 

Jessica Timmons scored 14 points, and Loyal McQueen had 10. Essence Cody paced the Crimson Tide in rebounds with eight. 

Alabama, which has won seven of the last 13 matchups against Tennessee, lead nearly from start to finish. It never trailed by more than four points, which was in the first quarter. 

"Sarah Ashlee Barker struggled a little bit but found other ways to contribute and made some big baskets late," Curry added. "I thought Aaliyah Nye and Jessica Timmons really stepped up and our bench was as good as it's been all year with the little things. Tonight really said a lot about our team."

Tennessee (14-7, 7-2 SEC) entered the game at Coleman Coliseum with back-to-back wins, defeating Georgia (95-73) on Feb. 1, and Missouri (80-69) on Feb. 4. The Lady Vols were in second place in the league standings and averaging 78 points per game. Alabama was coming off Kristy Curry's 500th career win, earlier this week at Vanderbilt. 

Crimson Tide Coach Kristy Curry Collects Career Win No. 500