On Sunday afternoon, the Crimson Tide used a 27-point third quarter to take the lead in the fourth but fell short to the Sooners (79-71) at Coleman Coliseum. Ta'Mia Scott led Alabama with 17 points, while Ace Austin and Jessica Timmons posted 11 points. Essence Cody led the Crimson Tide with 6 rebounds. Raegan Beers led Oklahoma with a near double-double after scoring 21 points and nine rebounds.

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First Quarter: Oklahoma Sets the Tone

Oklahoma wasted no time asserting itself. Raegan Beers opened the scoring with an and-one opportunity inside, setting the tone for the Sooners’ physical presence in the paint. Although she missed the free throw, Beers consistently established position early against Alabama’s frontcourt.

Alabama struggled to find rhythm from deep to start, with Essence Cody and Diana Collins both missing early three-point attempts. Ta’Mia Scott provided a spark by banking in a floater, and Karly Weathers energized the Tide with a chasedown block on Aaliyah Chavez before knocking down a three assisted by Scott.

Still, Oklahoma’s interior efficiency proved decisive. Beers converted multiple post finishes, while Payton Verhulst capitalized on second-chance points and cutting opportunities. A late layup from Verhulst off a Beers feed pushed the Sooners’ lead to seven at the end of the quarter.

Second Quarter: The Crimson Tide Fight Back but Oklahoma Responds

Alabama opened the second with defensive intensity, creating deflections and transition chances. Jessica Timmons worked to generate offense, and Diana Collins knocked down a late shot-clock three to keep the Tide within reach.

Scott drilled a three off a Cody screen, and Ace Austin added a tough late-clock finish to help Alabama chip into the deficit. Cody’s activity on the glass and defensive effort led to key possessions, including a steal from Beers.

However, Oklahoma’s versatility shined. Verhulst attacked off isolation sets, Sahara Williams finished on the roll, and Aaliyah Chavez converted coast-to-coast opportunities. A technical foul assessed to Alabama head coach Kristy Curry allowed Chavez to add points at the free-throw line, helping the Sooners maintain control heading into halftime.

Third Quarter: Alabama Surges Ahead 

The third quarter flipped the game’s momentum.

Alabama’s defense sparked a scoring run, highlighted by Scott’s transition three and Collins finishing at the rim after a steal. Timmons connected from deep out of an out-of-bounds set, and Weathers orchestrated in transition, finding Naomi Jones for interior finishes.

The Tide dominated stretches of the quarter in transition. Weathers went coast-to-coast for a layup, Austin converted on the break, and Jones cleaned up second-chance opportunities. Alabama’s activity forced turnovers and turned defense into offense.

Despite Beers continuing to score in the paint and Williams contributing on the glass, Alabama carried a 60-58 lead into the final period.

Fourth Quarter: Aaliyah Chavez Comes Up Clutch 

The final frame belonged to Aaliyah Chavez and the Sooners’ execution.

Zya Vann opened the quarter with a corner three, and Chavez later connected on a step-back triple from the top of the key. Scott answered with tough finishes and a three off a Cody screen, but Oklahoma’s shot-making proved steadier.

Beers added key paint buckets, while Keziah Lofton and Williams contributed timely transition scores. Chavez delivered in the clutch, knocking down a pair of late jumpers and converting free throws after being fouled.

Alabama had chances, but missed opportunities in the paint and costly fouls in the closing minutes allowed Oklahoma to seal the eight-point victory at the line.

Head Coach Kristy Curry credited her team's third quarter defensive intensity for shifting momentum but acknowledged Oklahoma's late execution to be the difference.

I'm proud of our players there in the third, really battling back, with nine deflections. Just thought our defense really changed the game there. We just weren't able to hold down the fourth [quarter] to a really good Oklahoma team. I think you come in here and you talk about everything we didn't do, but you have to credit Oklahoma. I thought, down the stretch, they were able to make some shots and we weren't.

 

I just ask our team to stay positive and embrace hard. You can't get too high, you can't get too low, you can't get too negative, you can't listen to anything other than each other. This team has a chance to continue to grow and improve. The teams that work through the adversity, and don't let it work through them, are the ones that'll be successful here down the stretch. [They are the ones that will] find a way in March and the NCAA Tournament to let every one of these experiences come back to benefit them.

 

We just have to continue to stay with it, stay at it and stay positive. There are obviously some things that are very evident that we're very self-aware of. We need to continue to do better to put ourselves in a position to just finish there in the fourth.

Ta'Mia Scott pointed to her team's hustle on defense but also explained Oklahoma's offensive tendenices.

Just hustling and scambling around. I think that if we found more of that throughout the rest of the game, we would hae been a lit bit more successful. That are what these type of games are for to learn.

 

I think just reading the balls and knowing personel plus knowing who I can kind of leave to go get the ball. Then we knew they wanted to get into the paint so just reading that. They were floating passes, so just being there and using athleticism.

Head Coach Jennie Baranczyk praised Aaliyah Chavez's maturity and poise against Alabama.

I thought one she did some pretty good things defensively. I thought she was steady. You don't want to play her as many minutes as we are playing her in this league. She got double teamed and trapped. Alabama had a game plan for her specifically.

 

What is impressive about her maturity is she is never out of a game. It can not go well and then at the end when it was time to make a play, she made a play. She stepped up and made some free throws. I love watching her because you can see her evolution of trying to create. She had a couple of really nice passes, should of had more because of some misses shots. She did a really good job of trying to command and get everybody involved.

Raegan Beers highlighted Aaliyah Chavez's communication and leadership throughout the game.

To go off what coach said, her communication stood out today for me just becasue you have upper classmen that play a lot that have strong voices. On a team like that, it can be hard to get some words in and give your two cents. I think the more she can do that, the better we are as as a team.

 

SEC Slate (Sunday):

Texas held off Tennessee in Knoxville, with key late free throws and balanced scoring helping the Longhorns escape with a narrow road win.

The Aggies dominated Auburn behind big performances from Fatmata Janneh and Ny’Ceara Pryor, cruising to a decisive home victory.

Kentucky pulled away in the second quarter and never looked back, topping Ole Miss with a strong all-around effort.

Georgia held off a late Vanderbilt push, including key baskets down the stretch to edge the Commodores in a tight home win.

Alabama Players in Double Figuers:

Ta Mia Scott: 17 points

Jessica Timmons: 11 points

Ace Austin: 11 points

Alabama Stat Leaders:

Points: Ta'Mia Scott (17)

Assists: Ta'Mia Scott (4)

Rebounds: Jessica Timmons and Karly Weathers (5)

Steals: Essence Cody (3)

Blocks: Ta'Mia Scott (2)

Plus/Minus: Naomi Jones (0)

Minutes: Karly Weathers (39)

The Crimson Tide will look to turn the tide as they welcome powerhouse South Carolina this Thursday at Coleman Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network.

Chase Brumfield is the morning producer and writer for Tide 100.9. He is a recent graduate from Mississippi State University as a Communications Major. Follow Chase for more Alabama content on X at @cb3864.