Alabama Falls Short In SEC Tournament Quarterfinals
It's hard to beat a team three times in a season but that's exactly what the No. 7 South Carolina Lady Gamecocks did, defeating Alabama 75-63 in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. The Crimson Tide is now eliminated from the SEC Tournament and will now turn its attention to "Selection Monday" as the team awaits its fate as an at-large big.
The Alabama Crimson Tide fell behind 26-6 after the first quarter after not scoring points until the quarter was halfway through. Ironically, coach Kristy Curry's Crimson Tide was able to beat the Gamecocks in each of the subsequent three quarters but it was not enough to close the gap and upset one of the best teams in the nation.
Alabama was carried offensively by Jordan Lewis and Ariyah Copeland, Lewis scored a game-high 25 points, snagged six rebounds with four assists. Copeland added 17 points of her own, hauled in seven rebounds and had two blocks and two assists.
South Carolina utilized a triple-threat on offense with guard Zia Cooke scoring 22 points, guard Destanni Henderson added 18 and forward Aliyah Boston chipped in with 16 as well as securing 13 rebounds.
Alabama committed six of its 19 turnovers in the first quarter creating a hole too big to dig out of. Additionally South Carolina dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Tide 36-29.
Alabama's attention now turns to the NCAA Tournament selection process. Alabama women's basketball has not made the "Big Dance" since 1999. Entering the SEC Tournament the Tide was projected as a No. 7 seed and should keep that seeding based off beating Missouri yesterday.
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