The Crimson Tide found a way down the stretch to secure their 20th win of the season over Ole Miss (64-53) last Thursday. After trailing by one with 35 seconds left in the ball game, Diana Collins put Alabama back in the lead with a game changing layup. This is Alabama's third win over a ranked opponent this season, a feat accomplished for the first time since the 1998-99 season. Head Coach Kristy Curry marked her 550th career victory plus her 15th win over a ranked opponent since arriving to The Capstone.

Jessica Timmons posted with three team highs in points (23), rebounds (7) and steals (4). Karly Weathers finished in double figures as Ta'Mia Scott included nine points. The Rebels witnessed four players score in double figures. Cotie McMahon had a team high in points (22).

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First Quarter: Alabama Gets Out to Early Lead

Alabama won the opening tip and got on the board quickly, pushing an early 18-14 advantage in the quarter. The Tide forced turnovers including a travel by Diana Collins and a full-court press that sped up Ole Miss. Cotie McMahon for Ole Miss struggled with turnovers early, leading to a Ta’Mia Scott corner three for the Tide. Scott was aggressive throughout the frame, using pump fakes and attacks to the rim, eventually scoring a tough layup in the paint. Ole Miss responded with paint scoring and second-chance opportunities, but early offensive miscues like missed jump shots by Sira Thienou and Latasha Lattimore kept the Rebels from pulling ahead. Karly Weathers hit a big three to extend the lead before Ole Miss called a timeout with 5 minutes left. Following the timeout, Number 21 answered with a corner triple for Ole Miss to close the quarter strong.

Second Quarter: Ole Miss Rally to Take The Lead

Ole Miss opened the quarter with possession and immediately made an impact. Jessica Timmons’ defensive effort led to a steal and Ole Miss turnover on their first offensive trip. Alabama suffered offensively, missing multiple shots including a Diana Collins three as the shot clock expired. Naomi Jones found space for a jump shot to keep Alabama in it, but Ole Miss used a 6-0 run to capture the lead early. Both teams battled inside, with multiple missed layups and jumpers from Lattimore and others keeping the score tight. Alabama battled foul trouble as Diana Collins committed a shooting foul and gave up points at the line. Ole Miss capitalized on transition opportunities including a driving layup off a Collins turnover and took advantage of steals and free throws. By halftime, Ole Miss had trimmed Alabama’s lead and held a 28-25 advantage entering the break.

Third Quarter: Back and Fourth with Physical Play

The third quarter opened with Ole Miss maintaining its lead before Alabama began chipping away. McMahon drew contact and got to the line early, while Diana Collins answered with a tough paint bucket for the Tide. The quarter saw a mixture of tough finishes, turnovers and contested shots including a transition layup on a steal by Essence Cody that Ole Miss couldn’t convert. Alabama’s offense steadied with a quick fadeaway jumper, and Karly Weathers added a key three at the six-second mark to put Alabama up 48-47 late in the period. The lead fluctuated throughout the stanza, highlighted by defensive pressure and fouls from both sides. The back-and-forth action ended with Alabama holding a slim edge entering the fourth.

Fourth Quarter: Thrilling Finish for The Tide

The final quarter was a tense, physical battle with nine lead changes and critical free throw sequences. Early fouls set the tone as both teams traded baskets, missed layups and stops. Alabama’s offensive execution was sporadic, with travel calls and turnovers hurting rhythm. Ole Miss used an and-1 opportunity by McMahon and free throws by Latasha Lattimore to take a 62-63 lead late. With less than a minute remaining, a missed Ole Miss layup off a possession set up Diana Collins, who drove the lane and scored the go-ahead layup with 18 seconds to go. Alabama’s defense held on the ensuing possession, with a defensive rebound from Naomi Jones securing the 64-63 victory for the Tide.

Head Coach Kristy Curry shared her thoughts about the victory against Ole Miss.

 Really proud of our team. Honestly, I feel like Karly Weathers and Jessica Timmons should do the opening statement because it's about their grit, love and gratitude tonight and their leadership. I challenged them the past couple of days, and I'm just happy for our team because I thought we had a different level of toughness about us. We made some good plays with great execution down the stretch and were able to get some critical stops. I thought it was Karly's voice, leadership and extension of our coaching staff and Jess was assisting her. It was really special tonight to watch these two embrace hard the way they did.

Jessica Timmons talked about the final moments for her and Alabama to secure the win over the Rebels.

After those free throws, we hudled together. Everyone was behind Diana, letting her know it was okay. I think it was 5.7 seconds left on the shot clock, and we just need one stop with a rebound. So everyone's intensity was there. We made sure we gapped. We knew Cottie was going to have the ball in her possession. So as soon as she came off that screen, Naomi was there, I was in help and Cotie ran into me and we got the charge.

Karly Weathers speaks about the mentality needed to pull off an upset win against Ole Miss.

I think that it just speaks volumes to what we have been preaching to each other all season long, just do it for the girl next to you. We just depend on another heavily. We just know that we have to go out there and we have to give our best effort through one on one defense. And if then if something happens where we were to get screened or we get beat, we trust that our second line is there. I think that playing in this league, there is a lot of games that come to the wire so its finding that grit to finish and find those stops within yourself.

Alabama Players with Double-Digit Points: 

Jessica Timmons: 23 points

Karly Weathers: 14 points

Alabama Stat Leaders:

Points: Jessica Timmons - 23

Assists: Karly Weathers - 2

Rebounds: Jessica Timmons - 7

Steals: Jessica Timmons - 4

Blocks: Naomi Jones - 2

Plus/Minus: Naomi Jones and Karly Weathers - (+) 6

Minutes: Jessica Timmons - 39

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.