Alabama Women's Basketball Takes 89-76 Loss at Tennessee
After going undefeated in December, the Alabama women's basketball team saw its 10-game winning streak snapped on Sunday.
Tennessee never trailed as it cruised to an 89-76 victory in front of a crowd of 8,214 in Thompson-Boling Arena to record the program's 500th home win.
The Lady Vols (10-6, 2-0 SEC) shot 54 percent with four players landing in double figures and three setting new season highs.
Megan Abrams was the leading scorer for Alabama (12-3, 1-1 SEC) with a game-high 24 points, and Loyal McQueen was close behind with a career-high 21.
The duo scored 45 of Alabama's 76 points.
McQueen and Hannah Barber led the team in assists with three apiece, while Jada Rice pulled down a team-leading seven boards.
Tennessee was led by Rickea Jackson, who scored 22 points in the game in addition to recording seven boards and three assists. Tess Darby recorded 16 points, three blocks and a steal, while both Jordan Walker and Jillian Hollingshead tallied 15 points for the Lady Vols.
"First of all, congratulations to Tennessee," Alabama head coach Kristy Curry said. "That was their 500th win in Thompson-Boling Arena. That's really special for their program and special for the game of women's basketball. We were disappointed that it came against us.
"Tennessee played great. We gave up 89 points, we gave up 55 points in the paint, we were out rebounded, and it just wasn't a very good day for us on the defensive side of the ball. But again, we came back and scored 76. Most days, when you score 76, you think you put yourself in a position to win."
Alabama outscored Tennessee 20-14 in the fourth quarter, which included a 12-5 run over the final 5:11, but the game was already out of reach.
The Crimson Tide shot 44.4 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from 3-point range, but Abrams went 4-of-5 from distance, tying a career-high for three pointers.
Tennessee was 53.7 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc
"Not the day we wanted, but we'll hit reset and we'll get prepared because the race in this league goes to those that can withstand the hard days," Curry added. "When everything isn’t going well, how do you respond? And I feel like our team will step up and respond.”
Alabama returns home to host Missouri on Thursday.
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