There may be a little friendly competition brewing in Tuscaloosa.
For the last few years, the rise of the Alabama men’s basketball team under head coach Nate Oats has dominated hoops discussions in the state of Alabama. Now the Alabama women’s team is making waves.
Last night, the No. 24 Crimson Tide defeated Richmond 75-68 at the West Palm Beach Classic in West Palm Beach, Fla., to improve to 12-1 on the season, the team’s best start since 2016-17.
“Richmond is a really good team. They are as good offensively and as well coached as we’ll see all season. Credit our kids though, there was a lot of grit, a lot of toughness and this was a gutsy win,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry.
Sara Ashlee Barker, Alabama’s leading scorer with a 16.4 points per game average, paced the Tide with 23 points against the Spiders. Aaliyah Nye and Essence Cody chipped in 14 apiece, while Zaay Green and Karly Weathers each scored 10. Green, a 6’2” guard from Duncanville, Tex., led the Tide in both assists (5) and rebounds (6).
All five starters scored in double figures for Curry’s Tide, and both Nye and Cody started their 45th consecutive game. Saturday’s performance was also Barker’s fourth 20-point game of the season.
“We got some critical stops when we needed it the most and had great balance across the offense. To have five [starters] again in double figures means we are at our best when we are collective like that. I’m really proud of our team for a tremendous win today,” Curry added.
The Tide also captured an impressive 82-67 victory over No. 15/17 Michigan State in the tournament’s opening game on Friday to go 2-0 on the tournament.
Alabama will host Jacksonville at Coleman Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 29 with tip off at 11 a.m. CT on SEC Network+. Conference play begins for the Tide on January 2 against Florida.
As of December 22, the men’s and women’s hoops teams at the University of Alabama are a combined 21-3. TG
Cover photo: Zaay Green brings the ball up court against Michigan State. Photo courtesy UA Athletics.
