FAYETTEVILE, Ark.- The No.19 Alabama women's basketball team dominated the Arkansas Razorbacks on their home court Sunday night, securing a 94-62 victory. This win marked the sixth time this season that the Crimson Tide has scored 90 or more points.

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“I’m just really proud of our team. Great crowd today. I appreciate everybody coming out on a cold day. I thought the balance across our team was good; everyone played and contributed. With Sarah Ashlee [Barker] out, and the way this team just continues to dig deep and step up through adversity, I could not be more proud. I thought that Karly [Weathers] was unbelievable today, on a day where you really try to take away Aaliyah [Nye]. She [Weathers] stepped up in a big way and let the game come to her. She puts so much work and energy into everything that she does every day; it's really special to see that. They again, just kind of steadied the ship, but I thought it was Diana Collins’ defense on Izzy [Higginbottom] – that was the difference in the ball game, even though that might not show up in the stat sheet," said coach Kristy Curry following the win. 

The Crimson Tide jumped out early, scoring first before the Razorbacks quickly answered with a basket of their own. The Razorbacks briefly had a 5-2 lead. However, Zaay Green tied the game with a 3-pointer at 7:43, followed by Karly Weathers, who added another three to give the Crimson Tide an 8-5 advantage.

The Crimson Tide extended their lead with Aaliyah Nye driving in for a layup. After the Razorbacks hit their first 3-pointer, Diana Collins responded with a three of her own, maintaining Alabama's lead at 6:17. The Crimson Tide's offense continued playing well, starting three of five from beyond the arc, which helped them to a four-point lead at the first media timeout (17-13). Green capped off a 7-2 run for the Crimson Tide with a deep 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter, increasing their lead to eight points (24-16).

The Crimson Tide's offensive surge carried into the second quarter, where they outscored the Razorbacks 14-5 during the media timeout, leading 38-23. JeAnna Cunningham (10 points), Green (10 points), and Weathers (13 points) all contributed with double-digit scoring, allowing the Crimson Tide to head into halftime with a 12-point advantage at 46-34. Meanwhile, Izzy Higginbottom, the Southeastern Conference's leading scorer (points per game), was limited to just one point.

The Crimson Tide picked up in the third quarter right where they left off, launching a 12-2 run in the first two minutes (60-36). Each team exchanged baskets as the quarter closed, with the Crimson Tide holding a commanding 29-point lead over the Razorbacks at 77-48.

In the final 10 minutes, the Crimson Tide outscored the Razorbacks 17-14, sealing a decisive 32-point win with a final score of 94-62.

GAME NOTES: 

  • Alabama dominated the boards, securing 17 offensive rebounds that translated into 20 second-chance points
  • The Crimson Tide outscored Arkansas in the paint, tallying 44 points to the Razorbacks' 18
  • Alabama's bench also had the upper hand, outpacing Arkansas' reserves 26-20
  • Cunningham achieved a season-high with 10 points and matched her best with six rebounds
  • In the first half, three Alabama players reached double figures, helping the team establish a 12-point lead at halftime
  • Weathers shone with a season-high of 19 points, hitting seven of 10 shots and tying her career-best with five three-pointers
  • Green contributed 21 points, marking her 18th double-digit scoring game this season and her eighth with 20 or more points
  • Essence Cody recorded three blocks, surpassing 100 for her career, and scored all 13 of her points in the second half, achieving her 12th game of the season in double digits
  • Alabama finished the game shooting 50% from the field (22-of-68), 50% from beyond the arc (11-of-22), and 76% from the free-throw line (13-of-17). In contrast, Arkansas managed 34% shooting from the field (21-of-61), 37% from the three-point range (7-of-19), and 72% from the free-throw line

The Crimson Tide will enter a bye week, and return to Coleman Coliseum to face off against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. CT on SEC Network.

Alabama Survives South Carolina

Gallery Credit: Wyatt Fulton

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